All posts by Ashley O'Keefe

Proud To Be A Bison

BY MEGAN FIELDS `17

Name: Megan Fields

Major: Marketing

Year of Graduation: 2017

Horoscope: Cancer

Amount of time put into four years of college: priceless.

To be honest, I don’t actually put much stock into zodiac signs and horoscopes, and yet I still find myself avidly agreeing with every description the Internet can think to apply to a Cancer. It doesn’t matter if one post says I keep to myself the majority of the time, or if another says that I’m as extroverted as they come—each time I read those hastily typed blurbs I’m thinking to myself: “That is so me.”

Starting off my fourth and final year of college, I think more about what I’ve been able to accomplish here at Nichols College. I’ve served on the Retention Council, been a peer tutor at the Academic Resource Center, and have spent my free time baking sweets to share with my neighbors in Kuppenheimer Hall—because why not?

It’s not that I haven’t done a lot as a student at Nichols College, because I’ve done my best to be reasonably involved. On the contrary, it’s whether my time and energy spent here will leave a lasting impression on this beautiful campus.

And isn’t that what we all want?

We want to be remembered for leaving behind a legacy … or implementing a great change … or for being so memorable that professors will say your name for years, thinking: “Whatever happened to them?”

I want to be someone who professors fondly remember, even if they are also shuddering while recalling my favorite skill of debating anything and everything.

There lies the ultimate goal for my senior year: to be remembered.

What better way is there to be remembered than to leave a permanent stamp of my presence here on Bison Chronicles, forever on the Internet?

True, it’s a lot of pressure, but as Johnny Kapahaala from Johnny Tsunami said in 1999, “Go big, or go home.”

Megan Fields is a Nichols College senior marketing major and psychology minor. She interns for the Nichols College Office of Marketing and Communications.

Looking Forward to Fall

The fall season is creeping in as Nichols students return to campus and classes. Although the end of summer can be bittersweet, there’s plenty to look forward to in the coming months. Nearby towns host thriving fall festivals and fairs, and there’s always more to explore in central Mass.

Aug 20th – Nov

Fort Hill Farms Corn Maze Adventure: Located in Thompson, CT, Fort Hill Farms is a 15-minute drive from Nichols. Navigating through the corn maze can be a fun group activity. Friday and Saturday nights are flashlight nights where maze-goers can enter the labyrinth guided by flashlight. Fort Hill Farms also sells fresh made ice cream and other products. Admission to the maze is $12.

Sept 2nd – 5th

Woodstock Fair in Woodstock, CT: The Woodstock fair is a nearby favorite filled with food, rides, games, shopping, competitions, and entertainment. Open barns show off cows, chickens, and rabbits. Top country and pop artists headline this year’s fair. The entrance fee is $12 and the fair is about 15 minutes from the school.

Sept – Nov

Factory of Terror: This haunted house in Worcester, Ma is known as one of the scariest. Great makeup and effects paired with classic scares such as zombies, ghosts, and clowns makes for a thrilling experience. Tickets are $22 online.

Oct 1st

Dudley Grange Apple Festival: The Apple Festival is held right next to Nichols at the Dudley Grange. It may be a small event, but all of Dudley attends for the apple crisp. Apple crisp is $5 and the festival also offers other food, drink, and activities.

Oct 1st – 2nd

Wachusett Mountain BBQ Fest: Wachusett Mountain hosts a big weekend-long BBQ event featuring a variety of BBQ vendors, a traditional pig roast, pie eating contests, beer tent, and live entertainment. Tickets are $12 at the door. Travel time is about an hour.

Oct 14th – 16th

Rock and Shock 2016: This horror festival is in collaboration between the DCU Center and Worcester Palladium concert venue. Attendees can choose between buying tickets for the horror convention, the concert shows, or both. The convention features famous horror movie writers and producers, actors and actresses from favorite shows such as American Horror Story, costume contests, and much more.

Oct 22nd

Great Pumpkin Festival: Putnam is a busy little Connecticut town filled with small businesses selling food, artwork, and antiques. Every year there is a pumpkin festival featuring pumpkin carving contests, pie eating contests, scarecrow competitions, live music, and a petting zoo. It’s only a 15-minute ride from Nichols and there is no admission fee.

Last Minute Summer Activities

BY ERICA MILOSH

Although it’s time to readjust to college life and ease into new classes, summer isn’t over yet. Before fall creeps in, students can still explore some summer activities that the Dudley area has to offer. There’s still time to go swimming, eat seafood, and soak up the sun.

Memorial Beach, Webster MA: For the students who want to cram in one more beach day before summer comes to a close, Memorial Beach is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. It may not be on the ocean, but Memorial still has a good beach vibe and plenty of room for everyone to lay out in the sun. The walk-in fee is $1 and $5 per resident vehicle.

Dresser Hill Ice Cream: Enjoying some old-fashioned ice cream on a warm summer night is a must before the summer season runs out. Dresser Hill offers over 40 flavors of ice cream and some of the best seafood around. Cake batter, Wicked Chocolate, and Toasted Coconut are just a few of their unique flavors. This small town favorite is just a five-minute drive from school.

Ronnie’s Seafood: Ronnie’s serves up great seafood at their two locations in Charlton and Auburn. Locals will argue as to which location is better, but both offer the best popcorn shrimp and clam strips in the area. Lunch specials are from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., but always save room for their fresh ice cream. Both locations are about 20 minutes from Nichols.

Buffumville Lake: Buffumville Lake is a great summer day trip for a group of friends. Visitors can swim, use the park’s grills, hike trails, and enjoy the scenery. The lake offers volleyball, disc golf, and plenty more activities. Lake-goers are welcome to set up for the day and make use of the picnic areas available by the shore. The entry fee for one carload of people is $5 and walk-ins are $2. The lake is located ten minutes from Nichols.

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Indian Princess Lake Tour: The Indian Princess is a large paddle wheel boat that cruises along the massive Webster Lake. Tours last up to 90 minutes and cost $20 per person. There are two sections of seating to accommodate 125 people. Patrons can relax and enjoy the lake view. There is also a bar available for those over 21.

Breezy Picnic Grounds Waterslides: Revisit childhood fun with a trip to the waterslides in Douglas, Ma. Waterslides rates are $15 per person from 3 p.m. to close, and the all-day rate is $20 per person. Breezy Picnic Grounds offers 3 slides, lake swimming, snack bar, and arcade. Check it out on a weekday when most children will be in school. It is located 25 minutes from the school.

Kayak Rentals: At Lakeview Marine, Inc., kayak rentals are $15 an hour or $32 for 3 hours. Tandem kayaks are also available to rent and are usually a cheaper option when the cost is split between two people. Lakeview Marine is located on Webster Lake so kayakers can get out to the water right away. Spending time kayaking is a great way to take advantage of the remaining summer days.