When you first step inside the Old Pioneer Store and Emporium, the sweet aromas of chocolate and candies could knock you off your feet. And with the jazzy background music and old-fashioned bar seating, many would say it’s easy to fall back through time.

You can wine and dine your valentine while fudge is made right before your eyes as you sip on an old fashioned soda from the fountain machine.

This local treat has been open for 32 years and is owned by Brian and Carlleen Rose. Essentially, The Old Pioneer is two businesses with the Kilwin’s chocolate shop and The Old Pioneer and Emporium gift shop.

The store, located in historical downtown, originally housed the Pioneer newspaper and since has evolved into an antique store with a decorating center, then on to a gift store and a chocolate shop.

Throughout the front of the store, which is the Kilwin’s chocolate shop, are antique back bars made from the pieces of a drug store that once operated in the 1800s. Carlleen noted that it was that look that inspired the Kilwin’s trademark appearance.

The Old Pioneer, which is one of the oldest Kilwin’s franchises, worked with Kilwin’s as a house account before its expansion. When Kilwin’s decided to franchise, it used the historical back bar look from its Big Rapids location for the rest of the franchise.

Most of the Old Pioneer’s confections are made right in the store. Fudge, caramel corn, peanut brittle, nut cracker sweets, homemade caramel apples, chocolate dipped strawberries, and turtles are just a few of the sweets they make. Some chocolates do come from the Kilwin’s chocolate factory in Petoskey.

When asked what she recommends, Carlleen replied, “Our fudge is tops, but I’m a truffle girl, and they melt in your mouth. If you eat one of our Bombe Truffles, you will think about it an hour later and say ‘Man, that was really good’.” When you need to swallow down a mouthful of chocolate, you can grab one of the old fashioned malts or shakes that are offered. Carlleen also noted that they follow all of the old fashioned fountain pop recipes.

If it’s not a sweet tooth you’re looking to serve, the second half of the store has a gift shop that was voted Mecosta County’s People Choice for best gift shop.

The Old Pioneer is referred to as a big city store in a small town with brand names like Yankee Candles and Crabtree and Evelyn beauty products.

The gift shop also carries Shelley Cooper’s line of Sweet Romance jewelry. Carlleen said she is proud to carry her eclectic fun jewelry and also boasted the fact that Cooper has a museum at Paramount Studios with jewelry she has designed for movies.

The store also carries art glass from the 102- year-old company Fenton. The Old Pioneer was one of the stores actually picked by Fenton to sell its products when the company revamped itself.

Carlleen said she likes to have a good variety for her customers, but is also picky about what she carries because she only has so much square footage to cover.

Melody Winter, a junior in Ferris’ dental hygiene program, has worked at The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium since she was a sophomore in high school. “This was my first job, so I have six years under my belt and I really love working here.”

Carlleen also added that Winter could easily write a book about her experiences working there.

When it comes to Valentine’s Day, Carlleen said, “Our chocolates and our homemade confections are an essential part of romance. Not to mention, people think our cards are hysterical, they love them.”

The store also specializes in gift baskets. Bath and beauty and chocolate baskets are a few of those that are pre-made, but you can pick out anything from the store and an employee will design a basket for you.

Carlleen said they will add that extra classy pizzazz to any gift and always like to see it wrapped before it leaves the store.

So, whether your sweet tooth is craving a slab of fresh fudge or you want to customize the perfect Valentine’s gift, the Old Pioneer Store and Emporium is your one-stop shop.

Susan Mulder, abstract painter and graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design, is coming to Ferris on Feb. 21 to display her artwork of oil and encaustic paintings, which focuses on her exploration of bar code technologies, DNA, and genetics.

In her exhibition, being held from now until Feb. 28 in the Rankin Art Gallery, “she is displaying her many works of art with oil and encaustic paintings of her research on the language of the bar code and the information encrypted within as well as its visual and analogical relationship to the DNA code,” as stated in the Ferris Web site.

It also says, “She enjoys the clinical approach to her subject matter but it does not limit her from creating imagery that is visually and aesthetically stimulating.”

Carrie Weis, Rankin Art Gallery Coordinator, described Susan Mulder’s art as “conceptual in nature,” which means she has created art to visually support or communicate a ‘concept’ or theory.

“She is using oil Encaustic, which is a medium that consists of wax and oil pigment. Encaustic is very rich in color and texture and creates a strong impasto surface.”

When asked if this was an unusual exhibition compared to any of the other exhibits held this year at the Rankin Art Gallery, Weis says, “This work is unusual in the sense that we have not held an exhibition of works created with Encaustic.”

Since there is no art major here at Ferris, Weis believes “all of the exhibits shown at the gallery will offer something of interest to a diverse group of people.”

Weis does say conceptual art, abstract art, and contemporary are difficult for some people to view because it tends to break away from the traditional sense of painting pictures that are easily read and comprehended.

But this is something to be valued. Weis says she enjoys abstract and contemporary pieces of art because of “the raw beauty of mark making, color and form. It is an entirely different way of looking at art.

“Instead of appreciating the finished product, which is what traditional painting is about; abstraction is about appreciating the process of creation and finding beauty in the application of paint.”

In order to understand Susan’s work, we have to know why she painted what she did so “we can make those connections between her imagery and concept.

“Beyond ‘getting’ the concept however,” Weis says, “I think Susan’s work is rich and gorgeous and stands on its own aesthetically.”

If you enjoy science and technology, you may wish to see how Susan Mulder puts her research, knowledge and creativity of genetics and codes into artwork.

This exhibition is free and open to the public until Feb. 28. If you wish to receive more information you can contact Rankin’s Art Gallery Coordinator, Carrie Weis, at 231-591-2536 or email her at weisc@ferris.edu.

Do you happen to know who the first president to invite an African-American man to the White House was? How about the name of the first African- American newspaper?

If not, you can find out the answers to questions like these (the answers are Theodore Roosevelt and Freedom’s Journal) in addition to many other interesting facts dedicated to African- American history when the Office of Multicultural Student Services puts on the Black History Trivia Contest on Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 6-8 p.m.

The contest is in recognition of Black History Month, which is the month dedicated to honoring and remembering the important, pivotal points and feats in African-American history throughout the month of February.

The trivia contest will take place in the Rankin Student Center Territorial Room 155, where all students are invited and welcomed to participate in multiple rounds of friendly African- American history competition, including prizes for the winners.

“Our main goal for providing such an event is to educate students on the aspects of black culture that have had a great impact on the world we live in and also to spread the knowledge that black history is American history, and it is essential that all be exposed to it,” said College Day/ Special Programs Coordinator Michael Wade.

The Office of Multicultural Student Services is hoping to reach as wide and diverse crowd as possible in order to better spread their message.

If any additional information is desired about the event, feel free to contact Michael Wade with the Office of Multicultural Student Services by either phone at x2617, or by email, michaelwade@ ferris.edu.

The Diverse Sexuality and Gender Alliance (DSAGA) will be holding their 4th annual Mock Beauty Pageant Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Rankin Center Dome Room.

According to Jessica Romanoski, honors senior and president of DSAGA, participants will compete in three categories including the Fabulous 80s, Famous Characters, and Drag. They will be scored by a panel of judges on their looks and their answers to a series of questions that the judges will ask them.

There will be a winner in each category based upon the judges’ votes. The outcome will then be turned over to the audience where they have the final decision on who “Hot Crimson 2008” will be. In order to be in the running for “Hot Crimson,” you must compete in all three categories.

The Master of Ceremonies for this event will be drag queen Diamond Dynae, who is returning for the second year to host the pageant.

“We want to raise diversity awareness,” said Romanoski. “The goal of this Mock Pageant is to show people that you can’t judge people by the way they look.”

DSAGA is an organization based on the belief that no matter what your sexual orientation may be, all people are equal. They are allies in bringing diversity awareness to campus. “Our main goal is to be a safe place for gay, lesbian, bi, or transgender people to go to,” stated Romanoski.

This is a fundraising event with all proceeds going to the Manna Food Pantry. Audience members must bring in clean returnable cans or bottles and nonperishable food items to donate at the door in exchange for votes.

This event is open to the community and everyone is encouraged to participate.

The cost to enter into the pageant is $10. Entry forms for this event can be found on Facebook and can be sent to fsudsaga@hotmail.com or they can be turned into DSAGA’s mailbox at the desk in the Rankin Center Lounge. All entry forms must be turned in by Monday, Feb. 18.

For more information on this event, contact Romanoski at fsudsaga@hotmail.com, or if you need special accommodations call 586-713-4541 at least 72 hours in advance.

College represents a transitional stage in one’s life where habits are both broken and acquired. Through life lessons and class lectures, we are shaped and molded into the people we will be for the rest of our lives. To me, there is an important lesson that is not discussed in classrooms, or in private circles. That is the subject of acceptable male fashion.

In the professional world, attire and its application can say a lot about the person wearing it and convey a level of excellence and achievement. This is never more apparent than at the job fairs hosted by Ferris during the year.

Numerous tricks have, or should have, been passed down from father to son over generations. Simple things like, if you are wearing a blue suit, acceptable shoes are dark brown or ox blood red dress shoes in a shade matching your belt. For the eccentric, suspenders are acceptable, but are meant to be glimpsed, not gawked at. Black shoes and belts are not acceptable (though many will argue differently) with a blue suit. Black shoes and belts have cornered the market on all other shades and styles and need not be greedy with this one color. A simple way to remember this rule is to think of your suit and shoe choice like a bruise. If it is black and blue, it’s not good.

Dress shirts are available in numerous shapes and varieties. If you aren’t sure of your size, go to your local clothing store, like a JC Penney’s or Macy’s and have an employee in the men’s clothing department size you. They will measure your neck and shoulder width and arm length in order to determine shirt sizes that will most adequately fit your body type. Don’t be bashful. It’s better to look silly while you’re getting measured than to look silly in a shirt that doesn’t fit properly. While they are measuring, they can also tell you what size suit jacket and pants you would wear so that, again, you can get the correct size and style.

Most of the time, your shirt and suit size can be fairly easily determined through a scientific numeric scale, but, in my opinion, the most important part of any man’s wardrobe is his tie collection. The tie has a negative connotation in most people’s minds as being uncomfortable and a burden and truly, a tie is not for everyone. However, a properly worn tie is not a prison, but a centerpiece and will say more about you than any letter of recommendation ever could. It isn’t just about pattern, it’s about placement. It’s about the knot.

Though the types of knots are numerous, the style one should wear is directly determined by two factors: the type of collar of the shirt, and the individual’s body type. Tall and slender individuals are best fitted to wear narrow collar shirts and slim ties with a four-in-the-hand knot. It provides a streamlined appearance and accentuates the most notable physical traits.

Those that are not as tall are better suited (that’s a men’s professional wear pun) to don wider collared shirts and utilize a Windsor tie knot. It is a broader and fatter knot that, if tied correctly creates a bold triangle at the apex of the collar.

A neck tie is a statement of personality. Patterns and prints that coordinate with your shirt and, dare I say it, pocket square, represent your intentions for the day; be they colorful and vibrant, or patterned and conservative.

There are some combinations and styles that will always be a safe bet for many occasions. A blue shirt with a non-patterned gold color tie, white shirt with a blue and red striped tie, or a white shirt with a plain, nonpatterned black tie are all easily worn and accepted.

You may not be handsome, but dressing well can go a long way to make you look good.

Writer’s Note: Esquire Magazine and GQ were used as reference material for this article.

Everyone hates seeing commercials on television but when it comes to the Super Bowl, all eyes are glued to the TV to see the newest and funniest commercials of the year. This year, commercials for Super Bowl XLII averaged 2.7 million dollars for a 30 second slot. There were several types of commercials; beverages, vehicles, movies and TV shows. Here are my opinions on which commercials I believed were the best and the ones that didn’t do so well.

We’ll start with the “bad” ones. This year I was very disappointed with the Pepsi and Coke commercials. The Pepsi commercials involved an ad for Diet Pepsi Max and for receiving items off of PepsiStuff. com.

The first Coke commercial involved Stewie from “Family Guy” and Underdog as parade balloons chasing after a Coke balloon through the sky. The second showed a democrat and a republican becoming friends due to the “jinx, buy me a Coke” line.

I’ve tried Diet Pepsi Max and I wasn’t thrilled with its performance or affected by the doubled amount of caffeine. I also don’t drink a lot of soda, so trying to collect all of these points for the rewards isn’t worth my time. I like the older Coke commercials like the Jackie Chan and Coke’s Pepsi can stunt dummy and the process of making the Coke when the guy drops the quarter in the machine.

Once again I was very impressed with the Budweiser and Bud Light commercials. I’m a big fan of the inspirational Budweiser Clydesdale commercials. Hank’s work ethic and the Rocky-themed music made this Clydesdale commercial the best since the NFL regular season.

The two Bud Light commercials I found amusing were the “breathing fire” commercial and the “caveman” commercial. I find the new Bud Light “breathing fire” commercial amusing because for a moment the consumer gets super powers (breathing fire) and then bad things happen. For example, the guy who walks through walls ends up in a dumpster, the guy who flies ends up getting sucked into an airplane engine and the guy who breathes fire ends up lighting the cat and curtains on fire.

I liked the “caveman” commercial because it reflects the lives of college students who like to party. Finding a way to get the beer to the party is one thing, but getting there and not having an opener can cause for some good and bad ideas for getting the tops off.

This year I was also very impressed with careerbuilder. com. Their first commercial involving a woman’s heart walking into the boss’ office and holding up a sign saying “I QUIT”. I like this because some people really hate their jobs and need to follow their hearts into something they want to do and the representation of the heart actually saying it quit was perfect.

Everyone has to interview for jobs and this year Tide captured that perfect career moment. I like this commercial because it hits the nail on the head. If you have a stain on your clothing then it’s going to be a big distraction not only to you but the employer interviewing you. So follow the commercial and get a Tide stick and save yourself the distraction.

I was also able to catch trailers on the newest movies coming out and catch glimpses of FOX’s primetime television shows. I’m all ready looking forward to next year’s NFL season, Super Bowl XLIII and the new commercials coming along with it!

Dr. Watson and Dr. Scott will be giving a presentation on forensic pathology and forensic entomology this Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Rankin Center Dome Room.

According to the Merriam- Webster’s Online Dictionary, “Pathology is the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them.”

The dictionary said that Entomology is “a branch of zoology that deals with insects.”

“'Bugs, Guts & Gore' is an event featuring a few of the more prominent examples of forensic science featured in classes at Ferris State,” Amanda Marshall, president of Association of Ferris Forensic Students (AFFS).

According to Marshall, Dr. Philip Watson, Ph.D., is a wellknown entomologist and is the coordinator of the forensic biology program at Ferris. Dr. James Scott, DVM, is a veterinarian in town. Marshall said that he is very well-versed in the practical applications of pathology in many different types of situations.

Both Dr. Scott and Dr. Watson will be giving about an hour long presentation on their expertise and how it is important to an investigation. They will use many pictures, descriptions and different cases as examples.

“It is more of a show-and-tell rather than a lecture type presentation,” Marshall said.

Marshall said that this event will be very informational because it corrects a lot of the myths about forensics that are portrayed on television.

“This presents the way the real world works and examines different cases,” she said.

Part of the event will require audience participation in answering questions. Right answers will result in a group T-Shirt.

After the presentation there will be time for questions and answers.

“It’s a good chance for students to get to know some of the professors outside of the classroom, and see just how applicable their fields are to many different situations,” Marshall said.

The event is being sponsored by AFFS. The Association of Ferris Forensic Students is a registered student organization that meets periodically in Starr 114 at 11 a.m. The meeting dates are posted on the association's Web site, freewebs.com/ferrisforensicstudents/.

For more information about this event, or if special accommodations are needed, please contact Amanda Marshall at ferrisforensicstudents@ yahoo.com.