February 12,1981 The Pendulum Page 5
Cat lovers, beware
By Robin Adams
A true test for one’s love
of those furry little animals
that go “meow” can be
found when one of those
little animals is lost in your
home. I have flunked the
test as a cat lover.
Last month a cat wan
dered into our house and got
lost. We looked and looked
for the cat but we never
found him.
But obviously he was out
smarting us. He used to
come and sit in the window
sill and look out at us as we
left the house. Or he would
come out and use the rug as
a litter box while we were
gone. These pieces of evi
dence plus an occasional
“meow” led us to the con
clusion that he was still in
the living room.
We looked all over the
living room with no luck.
We turned over the chairs,
cleaned out closets, looked
behind curtains, under sofas,
behind chairs, and yes, even
in large flower pots. Still we
could find no cat.
The cat hunt helped sepa
rate the men from the boys.
Everybody was scared to
death of the cat. I had
nightmares that the cat
would attack me in my
sleep.
By this time, it was day
three. Still no cat. Then a
neighbor came into the
house and listened for the
cat. She was sitting near one
of the stereo speakers. She
suddenly guessed that maybe
the cat was in the stereo. We
paid no attention to that
idea and continued to look
for the cat.
As a last hope, we
dragged the stereo outdoors
and turned it over, only to
find that there was an open
ing in the bottom of the
stereo. It was a small open
ing, and we quickly decided
that a cat c6uld not get into
that hole. To our surprise, a
small gray tail that belonged
only to a cat moved across
the opening. Never' have
such sighs of relief been
heard.
After removing the cat
from the speaker, we tugged
the stereo back into the
house. Everyone sank into
chairs exhausted. Then we
burst out laughing.
During the cat hunt there
was not one thing that was
funny. Cat lovers, beware,
because I have no patience
with those small furry pests.
Photographer DavM Avrette caaght thb cat in the act of doling.
Elon remembers black cultm*e
“Black History- Month,
celebrated in February here
at Elon College, is a time
when black culture is re
membered and acknow
ledged,” says senior Vivian
Miller. The Black Cultural
Society has planned events
for those who wish to join
them in their celebration.
Beginning Feb. 26, a
“Swahih Swing,” will be
held at the Student Center at
6 p.m. The theme is geared
toward a traditional African
celebration.
On Feb. 25 at 8 p.m.
in Whitley Auditorium, a
“Mr. Ebony Contest” will
be held. The purpose behind
choosing a “Mr. Ebony” is
to “promote leadership and
self esteem, as well as ac
knowledgement,” says Ven-
ll:
»National champ enjoys twirling for college
m
- “
Featnre twtrier andy Vldette is *
began twiriing in the first grade. Photo by Avrene.
by Nancy Crutchfieid
Everyone watches as she
twirls her baton at the
football games. She causes
gasps as she attempts daring
feats, and sighs of relief
that mingle with applause as
she completes these aston
ishing tricks.
Cindy Violette, Elon’s fea
ture twirler and a native of
Alexandria, Va., began
twirling in the first grade.
She joined one of the most
prestigious twirling groups
in the country, the Ameri-
canettes.
“To qualify for the Amer-
icanettes,” Cindy says, “I
had to have a year of tap
and ballet.”
When she was in the third
grade, she left the Ameri-
canettes and joined the Na
tional Baton Twirling Asso
ciation twirling team. How
ever, she soon returned to
the Americanettes.
“I had to start all over
again,” she says. “I had to
perform in all types of
contests.”
While with the Ameri
canettes, Violette was the
state champion in her divi
sion.
“There are several divi
sions,” she explains. “On
the national level — that’s
when it really gets competi
tive.”
“I never considered my
self really competitive,” she
adds.
Violette enjoyed twirling
while in high school.
“We had four girls on the
squad who had had the same
teacher, had the same back
ground, and who were all
National Champions.”
“Football is more of a
show, whereas contest twirl
ing shows real talent.”
Violette has held two
Grand National Champion
ships. Her corps placed first
in a contest in Florida.
Cindy knew she wanted to
twirl when she came to Elon.
She was practicing for her
tryout when a misstep into a
pothole tore ligaments from
the top of her leg to her
foot. She had a national
orthopedist examine it. He
told her she couldn’t twirl
without reinjuring the leg.
“I was in a cast for four
months plus physical the-
raphy and rehabilitation,”
she recalls.
Cindy tried out with an
injured leg and made the
squad. Now she enjoys being
the feature twirler.
“I enjoy being able to do
my own thing. This is what
I’m geared for,” she says.
Violette says that for one
to be a good twirler • she
should be young, thin and
agile. “I’m past my prime,”
necia Bynum, president of
the Black Cultural Society.
After the contest, a social
dance will be held. Location
and time have yet to be
determined.
Saturday, Feb. 26, a ban
quet will feature speakers yet
to be announced. Students,
parents and faculty members
who wish to come will be
welcomed. Location and
time will be ant:ounced later.
Black History Month is
celebrated nationally. It was
begun in the 1940s by Carter
G. Woodson. Its purpose is
to recognize and create an
awareness of the contribu
tions made by Black Ameri
cans.
HEALTH HINTS
by William Murrell
Prevent back strains: Low
back strain is most often
caused by improper lifting
techniques or attempting to
hft objects that are too
heavy. The most important
lifting rule is never to let the
lower back arch forward.
Do not bend over stiff
legged to lift objects from
the floor. Place your feet
close to the object, crouch
with your back straight,
feet flat on floor; grasp
object firmly and hft slowly
using thigh muscles.
Do not lean over pro
jection such as radiator to
lift stuck window. Do not
reach to pick up something
when your arms are loaded
with baby or packages. Get
help if the object is too
heavy for you to lift alone.
Don’t hft if your footing is
insecure; a slip or twist may
wrench your back.
Sudden, quick lifting of
heavy objects is dangerous,
especially if you arc not ac
customed to it. Do not keep
trying to lift an object if you
feel a slight discomfort in
your back.