February Is Black History Month! Lion’s Eye Vol. XIV, No.4 Pennsylvanja State University, Delaware County Campus February 14, 1983 Valentine’s Day: Holiday Origins ‘by Carol Stocku and Pam Kelly - Roses are red, violets are blue, Sugar is sweet and so are you. This message has become one of the oldest expressions of af- fection on Valentine's Day. This fourteenth day of February, the one holiday that is associated with the celebra- tion of love and romance, had relatively unromantic origins. On 14 February 269, two mar- tyrs, both of whom shared the name Valentine, were behead- ed. One of the martyrs was the Bishop of Terni and the other was a priest and physician in Rome. They both have become the patron saints of the day and hence, February 14th has been named St. Valentine's Day. The custom of lovers sending tokens to one another is based on many theories. One of these theories is based on the Medieval belief that birds began to mate on February 14th. Some individuals, however, thought the explana- tion of mating birds was insuffi- cient and suggested that the Norman word ‘‘galantin,’”’ meaning a lover of women was similar to the name of the Saint (Valentine). Galantin’s Day with the letter “‘G”’ frequently pronounced as ‘‘V”’ led to the connection of St. Valentine's Day with lovers. Another theory suggests that Valentine's Day is a survival of an old Roman feast called the Lupercalia. On February 14th, the day before the feast, young Romans put the names of young maidens into a box and then drew the names by chance for partners at the coming Lupercalia feast. The paired couples were once in the habit Rocky Horror It Wasn’t But by Christopher Conti For the past month and a half S.A.C. (Students Activities Committee) have been sponsor- ing free films in room 101. On Monday Dec. 20th there was a DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? Well he (alias Lon Chaney) was lurking around Room 101 about a month ago. For those who missed his stellar performance, you'll have to watch for him on Saturdays. Photo: Courtesy of Audio Brandon Films. of giving gifts. The drawings continued thereafter for several centuries. In England, common obser- vance of Valentine's Day dates from the 1400's where many customs became associated with the day — it was believed that the first person of the op- posite sex whom one met on the morning of Valentine’s Day would become his or her true love. By the 17th century, the custom of sending valentines to one’s love developed. At first they were simple, homemade items. But around 1800, the first commercial valentines ap- peared. Today this card- sending occassion has come se- cond only to Christmas. The period before February 14thisa busy one for the post offices in such communities as Love, Mississippi; Darling, Penn- sylvania; Romance, Arkansas; and Kissimee, Florida whose names inspire people from afar to send their valentines there to be postmarked and forwarded. In the early 1970's the Loveland, Colorado, post office alone annually remailed some 300,000 valentines from all over the country, after postmarking the envelopes in red with its own distinguishing cachet. As the day approaches, sym- bols that have long been associated with Valentine's Day such as, red roses, heart- shaped boxes of candy, hearts, cupids, and bows and arrows adorn the many stores. Many modest family celebrations take place on this day. For many in- dividuals, however, romantic, candle-lit dinners, dances, and parties are common place. All in all, Valentine's Day re- mains, as ever, a day to express love. hilarious addition to the movie. Led by Lisa Epps (pres. of S.A.C.) in a pseudo-version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show the audience soon turned the silent horror classic ‘Phantom of the Opera” into hysterical chaos. It all began when Lisa and “another student” decided to play a piano accompaniment to liven up the show. Unfortunate- ly neither of the two has ever had a piano lesson in their lives, so the attempts at inflicting horror by music failed horribly. Fortunately it wasn’t a total failure, the random playing soon had the students in fits of laughter and once they started they couldn’t stop. A few students began to dub in words, turning spine chilling scenes in- to bellyaching laughter. During the trying days before Christmas when students are worried about money, tests, and Christmas presents, it was refreshing to see students un- winding in a bit of Monday mid- day maddness. To those who participated I thank You... ZAP! ZAP! The Rocketry Club’s movie, The Ramus Project, is near completion. This thrilling film, which some critics swear will rival Star Wars, contains space battles, laser blasts, and action packed drama. A Screenplay review will appear in the next issue. : Photos by Bill Wayman. Line-Up or Trust Your Luck by Karen Feilke Do you plan to go to Universi- ty Park for the Fall Semester 1983? If your answer is ‘yes’ to this question, you should pick up a contract request card (if you haven't already done so) from Mrs. Payne, room 105M. These contracts are limited to baccalaureate degree students that will be enrolled full-time in the Spring Term 1983. Two systems will be used by the University. One is the line- up system in which students can compete with other students of the Delaware Coun- ty Campus by lining up. The students’ request cards will be. numbered according with their place in line (first in line will get first choice). The cards will be accepted, along with a $45.00 check made out to the Penn- sylvania State University, in the student lounge, 112M, beginning at 8:00 a.m., Friday, March 11. The second is a lot- tery system that allows students to compete for a room without having to stand in line, but will have to compete with students from all the Universi- ty’'s Commonwealth Campuses. If you want to be in the lottery system, your request card and a $45.00 check made out to the University can be turned into the Financial Office, 111H (main building) from Tuesday, March 1, ’til Friday, March 4, at 3:00 p.m. If you need more information, see Dean Linder, room 105 in the main building. USG Submits Plan for Stadium Concert Special from The Collegian by Anne McDonough Collegian Staff Writer A proposal to hold an all-day spring concert in Beaver Stadium has been submitted to James Tarman, director of in- tercollegiate athletics. Although he has not had a chance to review the proposal, Tarman said, a decision on the request will be made as soon as possible. Those who submitted the proposal have requested a decision by Jan. 28. The proposal calls for a con- cert on Saturday, May 14, featuring three nationally known acts. the proposal was submitted by Undergraduate Student Government Senate President Steve Ripp, University Concert Committee Chairman Tom Swerzenski, Athletic Events Manager Marty Scarano and Athletics Events Coordinator Barry Jones. “We have done the work, now we have to wait for the ad- ministration’s answer,” Ripp said. “If they agree, we can realistically hope for the groups we want.” According to the proposal, performers under consideration include: Jackson Browne, the Clash, Genesis, the Grateful Dead, Billy Joel, Journey, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, the Stray Cats, and Neil Young. Advanced sale tickets would cost $15, tickets bought the day of the concert would cost $20, the proposal said. Seating would be by general admission. Several University offices and professional promoters were consulted by the sponsors of the proposal to determine possible problems and costs of the concert. According to the proposal, a stage would be built in the south end zone and the home team locker room would be used as a dressing room. A protec- tive tarp would be placed over the playing surface. Under the proposal, $395,00 of the concert’s $620,130 pro- posed budget would be used to pay the bands. About $50,000 would be allocated for advertis- ing and the rest of the money would be used for miscellaneous fees. Ripp said the sponsors of the proposal hope the concert would attract college students from all over the Northeast. The influx of outsiders would benefit the University and downtown businesses as well as earning income to maintain and improve Beaver Stadium, he said. Also, Ripp said, because the stadium is used only seven or eight days a year, the concert could be a way to use the expen- sive structure. If the concert is held, a por- tion of the profits could be given to the University Concert Committee, enabling it to at- tract other name bands throughout the year. In This Issue: Valentine’s Day Classifieds ........ P.4 Sports............. P.7 Entertainment . . . . .. P.6 Winter Term Exam Schedule ... P. 2 room
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers