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Walking into junior JohnFlo’s room in the SigmaChi’s house, the first thingyou notice are massive printsof paintings of Gucci Maneand Lil Wayne and a muralfeaturing a woman’s facewith the phrase “Sweet-heart of Sigma Chi.” This isclearly not the typical college

guy’s usual décor. This junior  bio-chemistry major paintedthem himself.

“His artwork really setsthe vibe for our room. Itmakes it a classy, profes-sional, and freaking awesomeenvironment to live in. Whenfriends visit and ask me who painted those portraits in myroom, I just tell them someangelic, aesthetic human being did that, and then theyknow--it was John Flo,” saidsophomore Aaron Tracey,Flo’s roommate.

Flo said he started paint-ing pop culture figures for his friends when he attendedUniversity of Missouri beforetransferring to Hillsdale.

“I painted the one of LilWayne for a friend, and thenothers started asking,” he

said. Now, he sells prints of the

 paintings as a side business.The paintings begin with a

 photo as inspiration but Floadds his own touch by chang-ing the background by addinglines, text, and patterns or  by using a limited palettefor a pop art effect. He likeshis work to be less straight-forward than strictly photo-realistic paintings.

Though his medium of choice for his pop paintingsis acrylic, Flo has, in the past, used charcoal, collage,graphite, colored pencils, andIndia ink.

“I hope to get into oilssomeday,” he said.

As a painter, Flo is notlimited to paintings of rap- pers but shows depth and cre-ativity in his style. His work includes a surrealistic acrylic painting of a sailboat floatingto the edge of the world to acharcoal and coffee stainedtrain sketch with a coffee cupshaped locomotive.

“What I’d really like todo is get into photographyand then take my photos andturn them into paintings,

changing them some, though.I like my work to be a littlemore fantastical,” Flo said.

Though not majoring or minoring in art, Flo remainsinvolved in the arts oncampus. He takes computer graphics and is a member of Hillsdale’s art honorary,Alpha Rho Tau.

“Being one of the twomale members of the arthonorary has its pluses,” Flosaid, laughing.

Flo has been involvedin the arts since childhood,starting with art classes inelementary school. His fam-ily has always pushed thearts and has encouraged himto pursue his talents. He is pursuing a career as a doctor, but he plans on continuinghis artistic pursuits.

“Someday, I’d love myhospital to have my artwork hanging on my walls,” Flosaid. snelson@hillsdale.edu

Professor of Art Sam Knecht is not afraid to gethis hands dirty as bright yellow-orange egg yolk slipsthrough his ngers for the preparation of egg tempera paint. Knecht brought back this striking art form toHillsdale College’s campus after thirteen years inresponse to appeals from students.

His class of eleven look on in anticipation at the prospect of learning a new medium, one he calls “oldand venerable.” Knecht taught himself the distinctive process by following books and other art resources, aswell as viewing authentic paintings in Italy.

The ne technique of egg tempera began in theearly Italian Renaissance with its unique compositionof egg yolk, water, and pure powdered pigments. Themixture turns into a thin paint that dries within sec-onds of being put on a panel. Once the water evapo-rates, the artist is left with lasting, vibrant coloredhues that can be layered or left alone with a slighttransparency.

Egg yolk is used because egg white is mostly com- posed of water; once the water evaporates, it leaves

little “glue” to retain the pigment on the panel. The paint can spoil rapidly and only lasts 2-3 days, evenin the refrigerator placed in the studio for this specic purpose.

“By itself it’s brittle, but if it’s on the right panelit’ll hold up like a son of a gun,” said Knecht. “It’sreally unlike oil or acrylic…there’s something realabout this.”

The paint is mixed in the studio before use;

the naturally yellow-orange yolk “warms” each pigment, creating a distinctive range of colors. Oncethe colors are blended, Knecht demonstrates with easethe wonderful characteristics of the simple yet swift –drying paint.

 Neither an average medium nor commercializedmethod, egg tempera requires meticulous detail andincludes ne textures, which is well suited for stu-dents who prefer to draw.

“I’m really excited to use a new medium… I’veused oil, pastel, acrylic, watercolor, but this is differ-

ent,” junior Katya Cavallaro said.The students are not required to bring any materi-

als of their own except props. Each student is givenan organic egg with a slightly colored shell to start off their painting, but their own additions lend a mark of individuality to each arrangement. Knecht hopes thatthe students’ creations will debut at the fall student artexhibit.nmitchell@hillsdale.edu

For the rst time, Hills-dale College is highlighting agraphic design company as a part of the Professional ArtistSeries. Graphic design art-ists from Porter One Designare showing their work in theDaughtrey Gallery.

“It’s an exciting new thingwe’ve never done before,especially the focus on the

graphic arts here at Hillsdale,”said Bryan Springer, Instructor in Art.

The Professional Artist Se-ries usually features more tradi-tional art--paintings, sketches,and sculptures--but they arelooking forward toshowcasinga more engineering, graphicdesign style of art.

“I’m excited about havingan exhibit based on graphicdesign,” said senior CollegianDesigner Bonnie Cofer. “I’mreally interested to see whatother people have to say aboutthe graphic design industry, andI hope it will give me ideas for my senior show.”

The exhibit has examples of the company’s work, not onlyfocusing on the art but alsoattracting an audience moreinterested in the economics

of the company. They planto showcase the work of sixof their clients--work such aslogos, brochures, and advertise-ments.

“We are your all-in-onecreative solution,” said Com- pany President Will Porter. “We provide branding and companyidentity, graphic design, mar-keting and collateral content

development, advertising, web-site development, and printingservices to a diverse group of clients across the country.”

The visit from the companyis intended not only to peak the interest of artists, but alsoto draw in those interested in building a successful companyor entering the world of adver-tising and branding. “Observ-ing marketing and brandingdirected at larger audiences by targeting visual techniques

to attract audiences will allowour students to see and nd thesolutions behind them,” saidSpringer.

As well as the work shownin the Daughtrey Gallery,therewill be a reception on the 24of Sept. and a question andanswer session with Porter andHillsdale Alumnus.tsawyer1@hillsdale.edu

B1 15 Sept, 2011 www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Egg TEmpEra rETurns To

HillsdalE afTEr 13 yEars

A photo reinterpretation done by John Flo of rap artist, Gucci Mane. (Courtesy of John Flo)

Sally NelsonWeb Editor

Exceptionally Unexpected

First Design Group inProfessional Artists Series

Natalie MitchellCollegian Freelancer

Teddy SawyerStaff Reporter

Porter One Desgin is showcasing work done for their various clients now in theDaughtrey Gallery in the Sage Center for the Arts. (Greg Barry/Collegian)

Junior John Flo (Sally Nelson/

Collegian)

 (Greg Barry/Collegian)

The egg yolk is directly mixed with the pigment for the egg tempera technique.(Greg Barry/Collegian)

Painted by Emma Curtis

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“He lived twice as muchout of life as most people,” “Areal free spirit, with a gusto for life,” “Always gung-ho and allabout living life to the fullest.”

Hillsdale College Instructor of Music Eric Jones died July21, after a two-and-a-half year struggle with brain cancer. Hewas 41 years old.

He left behind his wife, Sta-cey, and two daughters McK-enna, 10, and Kara Mei, 5, aswell as community of peopleat Hillsdale who looked to histenacity of life for inspiration.

Jones came to Hillsdalemore than 10 years ago tohelp build the school’s musicand percussion program.

His colleagues in the musicdepartment still remember rstmeeting him.

Artist-Teacher Instructor inMusic Chris McCourry sawEric at an orchestra rehearsalafter Eric had broken his col-larbone.

“He just duct taped hiswrist to his shoulder and played one-handed,” Mc-Courry wrote in an e-mail toThe Collegian.

“I knew then that this guyhad guts.”

When he was diagnosed in2009 with type four glioblas-toma, a brain cancer, he wascaught off-guard but fought back.

“When you look at your own mortality, one thing you

want to do is you want to live,you don’t want to feel sorryfor yourself,” he said in aninterview to The Collegian in2009. “I plan on living withcancer for a long time. I wantto live with cancer, and livingfor me is working and playingmusic.”

Senior Seth Hendrickson, a percussion major, said watch-ing Jones’ ght against cancer was inspiring.

“He was looking death inthe face but he wasn’t gettingconsumed by it,” Hendricksonsaid. “He was responding to itwith more life.”

Through the 11 monthsof chemotherapy, the brainsurgery, and then the news thatthe cancer had returned, Jones

continued to live his life at fulltilt, driving his motorcycle toradiation sessions, campingand boating with his family,and nally seeing the Univer -sity of Oregon football team play in the Bowl Champion-ship Series game in Houston.

“He really made the mostof what he had,” Hendricksonsaid.

But that was nothing new toJones, who seemed to live hiswhole life at that pace.

Professor of Music James

Holleman said he took Jonesmotorcycle browsing once, a

few years ago, and lost track of him.

“Twenty minutes later …when he nally came out, hehad bought a motor bike. Ithought to myself, ‘Oh mygod, Stacey’s going to killme,’” he said laughing.

Holleman later found outthat Jones had done somethingequally impulsive when he bought his full-size truck. Itdidn’t surprise him, Hollemansaid.

“There was no waiting — it was do it now,” Hollemansaid. “There was somethinginside of him that said, ‘Don’twait.’”

That kind of enthusiasm pervaded his life, whether it was marrying his college

sweetheart and having chil-dren, to buying and renovatinga house and a boat himself,or living actively, dirt biking,water-skiing, and campingwith his family. He had his priorities, though.

“For him, it was alwaysGod and family,” senior Kath-

erine Dishon said. “And after that came everything else.”

Dishon, a percussion major whom Jones talked into themajor, said that a lot of theadvice he gave students was,“Who cares? Go for it.” Aslong as it didn’t involve physi-cal activities that could injuretheir wrists and keep themfrom playing, he would add.

The irony was not lost onher.

“I just laughed,” Dishonsaid. “That’s how he livedlife.”

That passion marked itself in his music as well, whether itwas listening to the rock groupKISS or playing percussion,or teaching and mentoring hisstudents.

“He gave his all to hismusic,” Artist-Teacher Instruc-tor of Music Brad Blackham,wrote in an email to The Col-legian. “He played with reand passion. Always.”

Hendrickson said he’ll

always remember Jones’ persistent hope and relentless

enthusiasm.“He had every reason in

the world to turn into a bitter  person but he didn’t respondin bitterness or callousness,”Henderson said. “He respond-ed with joy.”

That joy is one of Jones’legacies. Friends and fam-ily members at his memorialservices were each asked to pick a mission off a wall to im- prove their community. Theyincluded paying for musiclessons for a kid who cannotafford it, paying for someone behind you in the drive-thru,and building a house withHabitat for Humanity.

Jones called it “The Mis-sion Rocks On.”

His passion for life, espe-

cially in the face of death, willnot be forgotten.

“Eric left a big hole in our life and college,” McCourrysaid. “I miss him terribly.”mvandervaart@hillsdale.edu

 A RTS15 Sept. 2011  B2  www.hillsdalecollegian.com

upcoming arts

danceSept. 16 — Luna Negra Dance

Theater, 8 p.m. Markel Auditorium,Ticket Reservations Required

art Now-Snday Ot. 2— Porter 

One Design Exhibit, Daughtrey Gal-lery, Sage Center for the Arts

theaterOt. 5-9--- Samuel Beckett’s

“Waiting For Godot” performed bythe Tower Players, Markel Audito-rium

ExpaNd yOur

ExpEriENcE...…by listening to and

watching the newest singlefrom Young the Giant,“Cough Syrup”. The videofeatures the band, poolside,amidst a team of synchronizedswimmers clad in primary

colors. The scene reects theline from the song, “A dark world aches for a splash of the sun”. This song shows asensitive side of the band thatso recently brought us “MyBody”, an intensely upbeattune. Although the song tellsof the struggles we all face,the tone and melody ultimate-ly brings a wave of peace andcalm over the listener.

Roxanne TurnbullArts Editor

{iN FOcuS

ROXANNE

TURNBULL

THE darK SidE

OF FiNE arT

The way humanity seeks out and appreciates neart has shifted in recent years. No longer do themajority of people visit museums to pursue their 

various loves of architecture, photography, sculpture, or  painting. Pop culture has changed how we view art.

This summer in Los Angeles, a throng of human beingsof all shapes, sizes, ages, and eccentricities led in to seethe artwork of one of the most iconic gures of modern pop culture: Tim Burton. Burton, famous for his involve-ment in the lm industry, showcased an alarming number of his pieces at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art(LACMA).

While completely geeking out over the artwork, Inoticed that men who obviously had just logged out of WOW admired the exhibit alongside seasoned veteransof the museum scene. Then it occurred to me that our tastes as a society have obviously changed in such a waythat Burton’s artwork has reached a wide array of people.Whether or not you like his ideas, there is no doubt thatthe majority of our nation knows of Tim Burton and recog-nizes his artwork.

Tim Burton has perfected a style all his own thatcaptures the dark, the strange, and the mysterious in life.And to answer your question…yes, he has always beenlike this. The exhibit shows how Burton learned classi-cal techniques that ultimately bolstered his own style. Inother words, he reconstructed the human image in order todeconstruct it again.

We love to see his comedic distortions of the humangure, and his exaggerated and often outrageous charac-ters. We love the way he is able to tell a story in a whim-sical and fantastic light. We love Tim Burton. The lmindustry has provided a medium in which we can readilyaccess the genius of this creative artist. That could never 

 be a bad thing.vcooney@hillsdale.edu

remembeng E JonesMarieke Van Der Vaart

Editor-in-Chief

This Friday, Sept. 16, Chicago-based dance company Luna Negrawill perform in Markel Auditorium at 8 p.m. as part of the ongoingProfessional Artist series.

Luna Negra performs a mixture of modern dance, ballet, andsocial dances, infused with Latin dance styles, said Corrine Imberski,Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance.

“That is denitely a rst for Hillsdale College,” she said.Luna Negra will be performing dances by prominent Latino

choreographers.Luna Negra’s dances are “energetic, really physical, and very ac-

curate,” Imberski said.Professor of Theatre George Angell said that due to the special,

technical, and nancial needs of high-prole dance companies,Hillsdale cannot invite dance companies to perform every year, in anemail to The Collegian.

Angell and Imberski found Luna Negra through Baylin Arts Man-agement. Baylin is contracted by the college for booking performersfor the Professional Artist Series.

Accoring do Baylin’s website, Luna Negra steers “away fromstereotypes and folkloric representations, [and] offers its audienceenergetic, powerful, and passionate contemporary Latino dance.”

Imberski said she hopes that Hillsdale students will be inspired to pursue dance after viewing Luna Negra.

“You certainly don’t need to know anything about dance to enjoyit,” said Imberski.

tphippen@hillsdale.edu

Lna Nega to pefom n MakelThomas PhippenCollegian Freelancer

The entrace to the Tim Burton ar t exhibit featureda sculpture inspired by one of his drawings.(Courtesy of Roxanne Turnbull)

(Drawn by Nell O’Leary)

Next  Week: Food...

...Bread,

Blogs, & Best 

of the (find

out later).

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Hepcats taketo the dancefoor

{Letters Home

Leah

Bernhardson

SPACES  B3 15 Sept. 2011  www.hillsdalecollegian.com

Dear Family,I went to my rst Hillsdale football game this week — I

gure that astonishes you. Please, please erase from your mind all of the horrible things I’ve said about football in the

 past. I repent! Watching football is not a waste of four hoursof my life. Referring to a team I’m not a member of as “us”is not ridiculous. Screaming at the television is not a mark of insanity.

I went to the game in gorgeous blue and white and a thick layer of face-paint. And guess what? The Chargers won. Myvoice is a little less for the wear, but I hope to recover.

Football, however, isn’t the only thing occupying mymind these days. There is a fantastic book titled The Iliad that

I spend a great deal of time reading. Have I ever mentionedthat I really like English? I really like English.Oh, oh, oh! I received cookies this week! I know they

weren’t from you, but I’m still extremely excited. See, thisappears to be a sign. If I merely wish for things to appear inmy Hillsdale mail box, they will! I can foresee endless pos-sibilities here. Cookies, large steaming mugs of hot choco-late…Oh! And maybe even a home-cooked meal. Hmm.Must go wish things into my mailbox!

All my love,

Leah

When the lights growdim and the musicis turned up, stu-

dents nd the beat and dance theevening away.

Friday, Sept. 2 was theopening night for the HillsdaleHepcats Swing Club, and over 150 Hillsdale College studentsdedicated the evening to thedance oor.

It is all about “the music, thedance oor, and your partner,”said senior and president of the Hepcats Swing Club AaronMortier. Mortier has partici-

 pated in the swing club since hewas a freshman, and this year led the instructional session thatkicked off the night of dancing.

His rst lesson began with a basic step called the lindy hop.

“Lindy provides a good basefrom which all the other stylesow,” said Mortier. Later in theyear, Mortier hopes to branchout into other styles such asthe West and East coast swing,

 balboa, charleston, and blues.When asked if aerials would

 be taught, Mortier said, “Lindyhop swing dance stresses the‘lead-follow’ connection.”Therefore, “aerials have no

 place on the social danceoor…and there is the liabilityissue.”

The oor was open to alldancers for the last three hoursof the evening. While the music

 played, new and advanced danc-ers took to the oor, showcasingtheir social dance abilities.

“It’s a type of communica-tion,” said Mortier. “We aretrying to encourage dancing oncampus…last Friday night wasfantastic!”

Mortier was very pleased tosee a relatively balanced ratioof guys to girls, as well as anencouraging number of return-ing dancers.

“The upperclassmen at swingclub made me feel really wel-comed last Friday,” said fresh-man Meredith Caton. “Theytaught me new moves in acourteous and non-condescend-ing manner. I will denitely bereturning to swing club often inmy time at Hillsdale.”

Last Friday, the Hepcatsalso held their luau, co-hosted

 by men’s music honorary MuAlpha. The impressive turn-out and good weather made itanother entertaining evening of musical entertainment, refresh-ments, and dancing.

“Swing dancing is so muchfun!” said freshman Jenni-fer Shadle. “Even if you’re a

 beginner, all the ‘pros’ are super helpful and make sure you havea great time. But boys, there areless of you, so you have all thechoices you could want! So ask!We won’t say no.”

In the coming weeks, Mortier wants to bring in professionalteachers, conduct workshops,and show swing dancing moviesto further inspire rising swingdancers.

The Hillsdale Hepcats swingclub meets every Friday eveningin the Old Snack Bar. Instruc-tional dance begins at 8 p.m.with open dance following from9 p.m. to 12 a.m. The club is aterric way to learn a uniquetalent, to meet new people, andto simply enjoy an evening of lighthearted activity on the col-lege campus.

After attending one evening,you might be agreeing withMortier.

“I’d rather be swing danc-ing.”rzolinski@hillsdale.edu 

This summer, the walls

of the music hall rever- berated with the tonesof a 1720’s General Kyd Stradi-varius violin and its equallysophisticated owner, CarolineGoulding.

Goulding, a professionalviolinist, attends the NewEngland Conservatory of Musicand is now taking classes fromHillsdale College. She attendedsummer session and during theschool year is taking courses viaSkype.

Goulding began to play theviolin at age three after becom-ing fascinated by her two older 

 brothers’ instruments.“My mom suggested that

I pick either the violin or the piano because I was so young.I chose the violin because I

thought it would be the easier of the two,” Goulding said.

Caroline has been able to perform all over the world.About two years ago she per-formed at Hillsdale College.

“I actually came for a recitaland took a tour then. I lovedwhat I saw and learned aboutthe college. Dr. Arnn asked if Iwas able to take any academiccourses and if I would be in-terested in taking classes at thecollege,” Goulding said.

It was because of this visitthat plans for Goulding to studyat Hillsdale came to fruition.

 Not all the details have beendecided, but she should bestarting the core classes soon.The format will be one-on-one

Skype classes with her profes-

sors. They will also include

online class work.This past summer, Gouldingcame to campus for summer classes. She was able to live ina dorm and experience someof college life, including tripsto Wal-Mart. She even had aroommate.

“I had a wonderful experi-ence and learned so much whileI took Dr. Portteus’ UnitedStates Constitution Course,”Goulding said. “I was also ableto learn a lot that I would nothave. And I made some greatfriends.”

Senior Sarah Ross wasGoulding’s roommate duringsummer session.

“Basically, Mom Martin toldme I was getting a roommatewho was a famous violinist. She

did not act as if she was moreimportant than anyone else,”Ross said. “I know her as afriend. However, she is very se-rious about her music. She playsmusic for a purpose.”

Goulding desires not just amusical education but also anEnglish or politics degree fromHillsdale. She plans to be back on campus next summer.

“I would like to have adegree from Hillsdale College

 because with music I have not been able to develop that area,”said Goulding. I very muchdesire to be a well-rounded

 person.”svoyles@hillsdale.edu 

STUDENT VIRTUOSO

Rachel ZolinskiCollegian Freelancer

Sarah Anne VoylesCollegian Reporter

Professional violinist Caroline Goulding attended sum-mer session at Hillsdale, and is now planning to takesome online classes from Hillsdale. (Courtesy of Caroline

Goulding)

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SPACESB4 15 Sept. 2011 www.hillsdalecollegian.com

MARINE, STUDENT, AND MAN OF THE HOUSE

Marshall Gobba isnot your typicalhouse mom. While

he is an incredible cook, Gobba prefers grilling steak to baking brownies. He’s also a currentHillsdale student, studyingeconomics after serving in theMarines for ten years.

Oh, and he climbed MountKilimanjaro.

“The Suites really needsomeone different than your typical house-mom, especiallysince we’re a co-ed dorm,” said

 junior Michelle Streffon, a resi-dent advisor at the Suites. “And[Gobba] is perfect for that role,in every single way.”

Gobba served in the Marines

for 10 years, where he startedin aviation electronics beforeentering the Marine Secu-rity Guard Program, wherehe served at embassies andconsulates all over the world,including Israel, Burma, andSouth Africa. He then enteredthe intelligence eld.

“[The Marine Corps] keptoffering me opportunities Icouldn’t turn down,” Gobbasaid.

But when it came time for him to re-enlist a year ago,Gobba decided to leave and

 pursue further education.“I knew if I was ever going

to a brick and mortar college,this was really my last chanceto do it,” said Gobba. “I loveto study, I love to read, anda classical education is veryimportant, so I decided to takethe leap.”

Gobba is also devoted tohis role as a student, workingthrough all his core require-ments in his rst few semesters.

“I made a career move toget here and I’m going to makethe most of it,” said Gobba.“It’s denitely a challenge, buttotally worth it.”

In addition to his stud-ies, Gobba also serves as TheSuites house director, where heis responsible for maintainingthe building and upholding therules and regulations set forth

 by the dean’s ofce for thestudents who live there.

“In the Marines, we called

it ‘mission accomplishmentand troop welfare.’ So prettymuch: get the job done you’reassigned to do, and look out for 

the people in your charge,” saidGobba.

“We happened to have avoid at that particular time andwe needed to ll it with some-one who was not only a strongleader, but someone who couldalso develop leadership in oth-ers and build community,” saidDean of Men Aaron Petersen.

In addition to taking care of the Suites and the students wholive there, Gobba and his teamof six RA’s were also commis-sioned by the dean’s ofce tohelp make the suites a moreactive part of the Hillsdalecommunity.

“He’s a strong leader andvery personable. He denitely

leads by example,” said junior Amanda Rubino, another RA atthe suites.

Gobba’s team alreadyshowed both their aptitudeas well as their dedication to

 building community in thesuites through their rst event:a cookout for 120 residents

 planned in two days.“It wouldn’t have been pos-

sible without the six residentassistants Johnny Burtka, JuliaDell’Aira, Travis Lacy, BenMaddock, Michelle Streffon,and Amanda Rubino,” Gobbasaid. “They’re an amazingteam.”

Gobba cooked.“He is the grill master,” said

Rubino.Gobba drove to Detroit

for the steak and bratwursthe cooked for the evening’sfestivities.

“In all fairness, I wasalready in the area. But if I’dknown that was the only placeto get [the ingredients], I wouldhave happily driven out thereon a special trip anyways,” saidGobba.

Gobba and his team arealready planning a secondmajor event, an after-party im-mediately following the GardenParty at Slayton Arboretum.

“He’s wholly committed, al-ways available, and exceedingeverything that’s been asked of him,” said Streffon. “Everyoneloves him as our house direc-tor.”

vcooney@hillsdale.edu

B

askets lled with fresh bread sit atop a red ginghamtablecloth. Customers at the Hillsdale farmer’s marketare warmly greeted by Regina Olson’s gentle smile and

advertisement for her bread. Even though the weather is less than pleasant on this Saturday afternoon, the atmosphere is cheery atthe bread booth.

Olson is one of about a dozen merchants who compose thefarmer’s market every Saturday during the summer and fallmonths. While her main product is her homemade bread, she alsosells vegetables and seeds.

At the urging of a friend, Olson began working at the farmer’smarket in early June.

“I really just wanted something fun to do this summer,” Olsonsaid. “I like seeing the people. The main reason I started was to

 be out in the community.”Her main reason for remaining at the market, however, is to

 promote the unique ingredient in her bread, spelt. She readilykeeps handouts available, and is always ready to educate her customers about this unique wheat substitute.

Customers have mixed reactions to spelt. Olson attributes thisto unfamiliarity with the ingredient. Spelt is rich in proteins, ber,vitamin B complex, and other vitamins and minerals. She saidmost customers enjoy the bread after they’ve sampled it.

Olson’s daughter, junior at Hillsdale College, Esther Olson, is

accustomed to spelt because her mom has used it for as long asshe can remember. “I also usually use spelt when I cook,” Esther said.

“People don’t realize that there are alternatives to wheat thatare actually healthier for you,” Olson said. “I hope that sellingmy bread will encourage others to use spelt.”

A native of Austria, Olson’s bread attracts many Germancustomers. With its hard outer crust, her bread reects that of Eu-rope. Americans are more accustomed to soft store-bought breadand therefore do not always take to Olson’s rougher bread.

Esther attributes her mother’s emphasis on self-sufciency toEastern European custom.

“From their experience of World War II, my family learnedthat they had to take care of themselves. They can bake, cook,knit, and sew on their own. They can and do save everything,”Esther said.

Preparing for the farmer’s market is a two-day process for Olson. On Thursday she grinds all her grain to make the our.Friday, she makes the yeast dough and leaves it in the refrigerator overnight. On Saturdays, she wakes up in the wee hours of themorning and bakes the bread that spent the night rising.

“My kids come and help me in the mornings when they do not

have their own things to do,” Olson said.Esther often stops by, not to help, but to sample.“Esther misses homemade bread while she is at school,” Olson

said. “She wants me to deliver to her sorority house!”Esther agrees. “I eat store bought bread, but it feels like it’s not

real bread. It doesn’t quite feel like real food,” she said.Most Saturdays, Olson’s bread is sold by noon. Her most popu-

lar items are her whole-grain wheat, and rye bread. Even when

she does not sell every loaf, Olson is still optimistic.“It’s all right because we’ll just put the bread in the freezer and

my family will eat it later,” she said.Olson remains unconcerned about the administrative aspect of 

the farmer’s market.“The vendors have regular meetings that we regularly avoid,”

Olson said.She does, however, appreciate the work that goes into prepar-

ing for the events and the people involved.“Everyone has known each other for a long time and it is not

like any of us are competing for customers.”

RETHINKING WHEAT

Local woman brings her passion and baking artistry tothe Hillsdale farmer’s market. Creative and engaging,Regina Olson’s spelt bread is a favorite among custom-ers. (Schuyler Dougle/Collegian)

Tory CooneyCopy Editor 

Emmaline EppersonCollegian Reporter 

Marshall Gobba has a role in many different places on campus. From a full-time student, to house direc-tor of the Suites, to hours in the gym to maintain his military training, the 29-year-old freshman is throwinghimself into every opportunity. (Chuck Grimmett/Collegian)