A College Hotspot

 The first thing you feel when you walk into Unida Pizza is comfort. From the spacious dining room to the bench directly to your right when you walk in. The dining room gives the comforting feel you should get when entering a mom-and-pop pizza place. The walls are sea-foam green with brown and white square marbling lining them which then transitions to wood paneling. The kitchen is in a hexagon shape, right as you walk in. Have you ever seen a see-through rotating pizza oven? If not, stop by Unida and peak at their oven!     

They offer many different seating options. The pale green tables have tan lining, with black and green chairs all in rows. Some tables seat 2, while others seat 4 and 6. 

 

Perfect for group dining!

  

Summer dining!

   

 

 If you enjoy dining with a breeze, then the deck is perfect for dining during the summer or spring. As well as if you enjoy people- watching then it is a great feature. This ties together that Unida cares and wants everyone to be comfortable here. 

 The dining room has spacious windows with drink coolers stocked with all the favorites. The cooler has soda, iced teas, water, and energy drinks. Need something to cool off with? No problem,  Unida offers a "dippin' dots" machine in store! They cater to all audiences, if you have children with you they have an old black dough machine in the middle of the dining area which offers a fun conversation piece or a picture!

   

Great for pictures!

   During my interview I spoke to Liam W, a kind  employee. Liam had blonde hair that was styled as a buzz cut, with circle silver glasses and an all black outfit. He spoke kindly with strong answers. He was fresh out of  high school and needed a job, it being walking distance  was a perk. Liam says his favorite part about working at  Unida is meeting new people and helping customers.   When it comes to rushes, no big deal! They are used to it,   especially once school is back in session. The spacious layout of the kitchen helps a lot and aids in any tensions that may arise. The team bonding here is amazing and  helps to keep pressures low during rushes. They have holiday parties and everyone has been working together so long that tie into the good team bond. Liam's key to the perfect pizza? "The crust" he stated confidently. Liam also   enthusiastically said his favorite pizza was the "Philly Cheesesteak pizza". 

Liam also claimed the Unida stands out from other places in town because everything is made in house, they care about food quality,  "We eat the food too, so it matters" Liam said with a smile. Becoming a pizza maker at Unida isn't easy. You must work your way up, dishes, delivery driver, hoagie station, then pizza maker/manager.  Which further proves the point that Unida cares about their customers.

As I sat observing the dining area I noticed how clean the dining area was. While I was there they only had take out orders. Every time a customer came in, they were greeted by a "Hi, how may I help you" that sounded genuine and not like a chore.  During the interview with Liam, I observed some kitchen banter as they made orders. Everyone was very welcoming, however Liam was the only one up for an interview, but did a very good job sharing everyone's values. 

If you're looking for a quick bite to eat, or a sit down family dinner, Unida is the place for you! 

Bloomin' Bagels

 The front door chimes every thirty seconds, along with the hiss of coffee pots and humming of ovens. Inside Bloomin’ Bagels, a stream of students and locals wait in line under black chalk menu boards and grey, white, and red tiled floors. The air smells like freshly toasted bagels and coffee. Staff in matching black shirts move with speed, calling out orders over the conversing of customers. It’s the core of a Bloomsburg morning.

The order counter, displaying the day's full menu on black chalkboards.

Long before the front doors unlock at 6:00 AM, the work has already started. The shop’s baker arrives at 4:00 AM to bake yesterday’s pre-made dough before starting up a fresh batch for the next day. “The very first thing we do when the rest of the crew gets in is get the coffee brewing,” says employee Brady, who works behind the counter. Once the doors open, the rush comes in waves. “Pumpkin iced coffee sells like crazy when it’s in season,” exclaims Brady, emphasizing that seasonal items cause big crowd spikes. However, the everyday items stay popular, like the everything bagel and the classic bacon, egg, and cheese. “The everything bagel is our absolute MVP because it’s so versatile. You can put it on any hot or cold sandwich, or just pair it with cream cheese,” Brady explains. Then, there are the weird ones. Brady remembers a custom order that is hard to beat in uniqueness: vegetable cream cheese, sliced nova, sausage, and double provolone, all on one bagel.

Between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM on weekends, it turns into chaos. The line stretches out the door, needing clear communication between the counter crew and kitchen to keep orders moving. “It can get horrendous out there with lines wrapped way out the door, so communication between the front counter and the kitchen is the only way we pull through,” Brady says. This is similar to the weekday 8:00 AM rush, where this is always a line of customers and no time for side work. By the afternoon, it turns into a quiet environment. Students can come for a calm experience or a study session, while employees try to find side tasks to keep busy before the long process of closing the shop for the night. 

The dining and coffee area during a quiet afternoon.

Bloomin Bagels is more than a quick stop for caffeine, it’s a necessity for both the campus and town. The owner keeps the business active in the community, participating in campus activities like litter cleanups and feeding BU athletic teams with heavily discounted meals. When students walk through that door, they’re participating in a shared local routine. As Brady puts it, the goal is simple: make sure every customer walks out the door full, happy, and confident in their order every single time.

Nelson Field House

 “As I walked into Nelson Field House the first thing I noticed was how energetic the building felt. The gym echoed with the squeak of sneakers against the polished floor, while the bleachers stretched along the sides of the court, ready to fill with fans.” Nelson's Field house is on the upper part of campus.  The field house holds all the athletics and is where all the teams practice. The field house is also where all the games are played.  You will also be able to find all the coaches' offices.  “All the people up there are very helpful and want to see you succeed.  Every person you talk to is very friendly and everyone has the same goal in mind to win.”  The field house is also a good place to study and get some work done. Some of the teams have study hours for their players so the players have time to study after practice.  The Nelson Field house is a great community with a bunch of great athletes and amazing mentors to guide your path every step of the way.

Nelson Field House

The Trainer’s office:  First thing you notice when you walk into the trainers office is all the recovery equipment.  Outside the trainers room, ice baths are filled for athletes who want to do a quick recovery after practice.  Inside the trainers room, their tables for the players to be treated before or after practice/game.  Light weights for restrengthening exercises for the injured players working their way back into playing.  “I try to treat all the athletes 15 minutes before practice so they can be tapped or wrapped before their training session or game.”  The trainers office also provides Gatorade for athletes to stay hydrated and get electrolytes.  

The Locker Room: When you walk into the locker room you will see all a bunch of cleats on top of the lockers.  There's 2 couches for the players to relax before or after practice.  Every player has their own locker they can use to put their clothes, bags, or accessories in.  On game days, the older players bring a speaker to play music before a game to help everyone get locked in.  Your jersey will also be hung up in your locker on game days.  Balls, cones, pinnies and other equipment for practice is also stored in the locker room.  There is a TV in the locker room that some players use to watch their favorite soccer team play when they have a game.  

locker room

The Film Room: As you walk into the film room you see a few tables with chairs for all the players to sit and watch film.  Coaches are ready to give game plans and scouting reports on their opponents.  “ As we watch film, I expect my players to transfer what was talked about in film, to the field when we play.”  There are couches by the wall and multiple white boards for the coaches to write out a play or a lineup.  Pictures on the wall of coaches playing their sport when they were in college.  The lights in the film room have multiple settings so it can help the coach focus on a certain area in the room

TThe Weight Room:  “I love to see that athletes push themselves so that they can be the best they can be.”  The weight room is located on the first floor of Nelson’s Field House.  Every week each team has a scheduled weight room day where the lifting coach will give them their workout.  The weight room has all kinds of different workouts.  Dumbbells, barbells, squat racks, bench press, and boxes(box jump).“I like to put music on so it can help the athlete lock in during a lift.”  There are a couple tablets in the weight room to help find each athlete's workout for the day.

weight room

The Laundry shoot: The laundry room is where all the athletes put their clothes after practice or games so their jerseys can be ready and washed by the next day.  “ The laundry loops make it easy to find whose locker each loop goes in.” The laundry loop is very helpful to all the athletes because athletes don’t usually have time to wash their sweaty practice clothes everyday so the laundry loop helps out tremendously with that.  .  

laundry room

Study hall rooms:  “The study hall rooms are a great place to get homework done or even to study since there are no distractions.”  Couches, desks, whiteboards, computers, outlets, pens and pencils.  Everything you need to study or do homework, the study hall rooms have it for you to use.  Outside the study hall rooms is a sheet for every team to track their study hall hours so the coaches can see how many hours their athletes are studying a week.  “I like to get all my work done after practice in the study hall rooms so I don’t have to do anything later.”

study room

Nelson’s field house is where you're gonna spend part of everyday if you're an athlete.  You're going to get all your questions answered and all the advice you need.  You're also going to be able to get some studying done in the study hall rooms.  Since you're studying and probably won’t have time to do your laundry, the laundry rooms are a huge help.  With all the support from the trainers and coaches at Nelson’s Field House, everyone is given a great opportunity to perform at the top of their abilities on and off the field.

Beyond Profession

Dr Michael Shepard 

    "Oh, yeah, I love farming. Since childhood I always wanted to be a geophysicist or a farmer," Said Dr. Michael Shepard, a professor at Bloomsburg University. Dr. Shepard, an expert in physics and climate, did not become a farmer, but he did become an outstanding professor. Through his passion in science, he built his career by always waiting to learn more and exceed expectations. He is an exuberant man who makes all people around him feel loved and happy. The passion of a person can really make them reach far, but it can also be encouraged by others. In his interview he states, "You can overcome everything in life if people you love support and appreciate you."

Dr Shepard's Life Experience 

    Being a professor is not easy, but, Dr, Shepard is one of the best professors you will ever meet. Beyond his personality, it is his experience tat really drives his teaching. He grew up in the southern United States, with his parents, brothers, and cousins.

    "Growing up has never been easy for me. when I graduated high school, I wanted to go to college but my family couldn't afford the tuition, and none of them went to postsecondary school. "Life after high school was difficult for me as a person who had a passion for becoming someone big but his desires were stronger than his dreads. "I applied for ROTC and joined the Navy."

    He got a full ride scholarship from the government to pay his tuition. "I majored in physics in my undergrad," he remarked. After getting a bachelor's degree in science, he continued his a education and went to graduate school. "It really expensive," explained Dr Shepard, adding, "I had to ask for a loan, and pay for expenses on my own income. He used the money from the Navy to pay for some of the expenses and books, and used the loan for tuition. "Got my PhD, and my fist job was Postdoc." He worked as a postdoc for about one year before finding a permanent job. 

Him at Arecibo in 2009

Teaching as a Career

    He started teaching at Bloomsburg University as a professor of climate change a few years after his postdoc job and remains on the faculty to this day, in the Hartline Building Center. "I worked on different research papers, generated a 3d model of an asteroid, led the research team on Arecibo in Puerto Rico and have three books," he explained.. In the field, with a lot of responsibility, teamwork is always needed. He worked with different faculties and students on his research projects, papers, and findings. 

    Students who don't complete their work are one of the challenges in his field. He has received calls from concerned parents, complaining about their kid's

Online classes during Covid                        

 performance. "I listen to them to find out what they didn't understand so that I can help in any way possible," said Dr Shepard.

    He always reaches out to students to ask them if they are struggling with anything. If they do not speak up for themselves, he doesn't continue to bother with them. "People say that's rude, but I don't think so because they are adult enough to understand what they want in life."

    During the Covid pandemic, he told me that things worsened. Student had a hard time getting motivated and engaged when they didn't have to come to class, but only log on to a computer. 

    Now, he is teaching physics and hopping things will go better for him and the students. He is also focusing on developing a new book for his climate class.

Connection with Students 

     

Student at Arecibo in 2009

His whole life has been spent with students and other faculty members. “I really love it!” he exclaimed. That is because socializing is one of his favorite hobbies.

    I carefully observed his class one morning. It revealed a professor who not only knows how to teach effectively and make sure his students understand the material, but someone who respects his students and helps them feel at ease.

    As class was about to start, the room field with the back-and-forth flow of student conversation. The students ere at ease, happy and prepared for the lecture. The student went quiet when they saw Dr. Shepard standing at the front door of the class. He bowed slightly to duck under the door frame, greeted, and walked slowly to his desk. 

    "You're a little early today?' He asked calmly with a smile. "Did something happen?"

    "No," they answered. 

    "Maybe we are just excited about the topic," someone chimed in, while the students glanced to each other. 

   

Him with students on one of his applied Geophysics research

He shifted in the heavy chair with a creak, the wood groaning in the stillness. When it was time to start the class, he stood on his feet and postured his body toward the students. 

    "Can everyone have their materials out please!" he calmly commanded. Turning to face the chalkboard, he asked, "Is everyone done with the homework?"

    The class went quiet, out of 41 students, 32 did the work. 

    "We didn't have enough time to finish the work," someone complained. 

    "You still have tomorrow left," he warned sternly because he had assigned the homework a week ago, but too many students had not yet done it. 

    He turned to the chalkboard again. He started the lecture by reminding the class about what they covered the previous week; then he turned on the projector and start presenting the previous slides. 

    "Koppen Classification system is the most common factor in the climate change," broadly explained Dr. Shepard. "We went through how it works. Basically, it is two or three letter sequence of the Earth's major climate groups."

    He moved to the next slide.

    "first, we talked about the qualifiers for precipitation and temperature in the summer and winters, based on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Map, an way to classify climate based on the coldest winter temperature in the past 30 years. This system was mostly used by farmers. Then I showed sone examples related to Pennsylvania. We have shifted one full climate zone since the 1990s, and now we are 10 degrees warmer in the wintertime."

    Then he clicked to the next slide and stated, "Today we are going to talk about the things that drive climate. You'll hear people say that climate always changes. That's true, but we will look at what drives climate change, and why there is  a raging war over it." He reminded them all that what they need to understand before moving forward. After explaining he changed the slide and put on the topic for the day. 

Dr Shepard with students on graduation

    One of the students asked ,"How much capacity of solar energy would make the climate vary?"

    The rest of the class nodded their heads.

    "Your question is astonishing, dear!" he exclaimed with a brilliant beaming smile that broke across his face. He answered brightly, "The simple term to quantify it is Milankovitch Cycle or variation. This plays a big role in the solar system cycle. When the obliquity of the earth varies from largest tilt, it will cause the earth to become more perpendicular to the sun which will increase the radiative force or currency of the earth's observable sunlight. This is why equatorial regions are dry because they are more or less perpendicular to the sun compared to polar regions. The current earth tilt is 23.5 degrees and the solar constant is 1361w/m^2."

    The class went cold when he finished explaining.

    "Did you understand what I just said or do you need me to explain it in another way?" he asked politely because he thought they were confused. 

    Since no one spoke up, and the students were carefully taking notes, he continued on with the lecture.

    At the end of the class, he told them that the quiz and the test should be already in the Bright Space, also known as the academic web for most of the college students. It's the place where all their grades and assignments are posted. When the class ended, he kept busy cleaning the chalkboard and organizing papers. The students lingering at the door began to disperse, but on of the students named Kai remained in the class. 

    "excuse me," Kai mumbled slowly because he didn't want to scare him. 

    Dr. Shepard turned gently. "Can I assist you with anything?" he asked. 

    "Yes," he replied respectfully, "I am having trouble accessing my exclusive book int he Bright Space. I tried three times but it didn't work."

    "did you talk to the book store," questioned Dr Shepard. 

    "No, I didn't," Kai responded.

    "Don't worry, I will email Lora, and she will be able to assist you," assured Dr. Shepard. 

    "Thank you," exclaimed Kai. 

    "Your welcome," replied Dr. Shepard. "See you, Kai."

    "See you, Dr. Shepard!"

Dr Shepard with Jack Schmitt his partner at Arecibo

    With that, they both went their separate ways. Dr Shepard went back to his office, and Kai went to his next class, knowing that his professor was going to help him.  

    Creating this kind of foundation is what Dr. Shepard has always wanted. He sees that it is part of his responsibility to assist others who need his help. 

    He said that he never imagined that he could accomplish so much, but he couldn't have achieved any of it without the people who stayed by his side, especially his wife. 

    “I love my family so much, and all my passion was achieved through their consistency, for keeping with me and staying by my side. He really loves his family and the way they support his passion. Even though he said if he could change a job for a day, obviously he would do farming, gardening and taking care of his plants will have to remain a hobby, because Dr. Shepard’s real work is to teach his students, research, and write. Even though life was hard for him, he never gave up, and he has overcome difficulties to pursue his career. His students are glad he did.

    

 

    

Back in Time at Bloom Vintage

Entrance of the Store

Traveling back in time to wear the fashion, listen to the music, and interact with the people that parents and grandparents romanticize about, remains a fascinating dream. But once stepping foot into a small shop tucked in town, with a short orange standing sign on the outside of the shop reading, "Bloom Vintage," suddenly an overwhelming wave of nostalgia hits. From the 70s and 80s up to the 90s and the Y2K eras, this thrift store captures decades of iconic fashion. On the outside window, bold, spray-painted bubble letters, "Bloom Vintage," attracts attention to pedestrians pleasantly strolling in town. The window encases some of the accessories, clothing, and decorations as a glimpse of what awaits inside. The smell of old fabric and antique furniture fills the store, and a soft breeze drifts through the open door that stays propped open for customers to enter and exit easily. Catchy, older melodies gently vibrate out from a blue portable speaker that rests on the arm of a large leather sofa. As a non-crowded, peaceful store of only the sounds of cars driving past and the soft hums of the 80s tunes in the background, Bloom Vintage creates a welcoming and retro ambience that gives people the chance to step inside and briefly escape reality. 

Wall Display of Pennants

As this establishment now features vintage clothing and fun souvenirs, men's formal wear once occupied this space. After forty years of fitting men for tuxedos for special occasions, the location became an empty storage space for Main Street Beverage, while the first Bloom Vintage opened on East Street, as originally a tattoo shop. For two years of operation, the Bloom Vintage store in town has now opened to the community since April of 2026, inviting people to try on accessories and clothing that inspire the trends of past time periods. 

T-Shirt Wall

While becoming absorbed into the atmosphere and aroma of what the 70s or 90s might have looked like, dozens of university crewnecks, sports team oversized T-shirts, and vibrant pennants of popular landmarks cover the beige colored walls, allowing customers to look beyond the racks of clothing and admire the display. Within a dimly lit room, a mural painting of the shop behind the checkout table enriches the space with vibrant colors, becoming the most appealing element in the store. A large bin in the corner holds loads of unorganized pieces of clothing that lay untouched, but accessible for people to grab, try on behind the dark red velvet curtain, and proudly take home as their own. A large rectangular mirror stands against the wall to encourage customers to try accessories, take photos, and experiment new styles with pride. Wearing a complete outfit from the store's collection, a customer shared with a cheerful expression, "I can always find something I like here, and the aesthetic of the store makes the experience better!" 

Mural Painting

Whether greeting people walking by or relaxing on the leather couch that faces towards main street, Nolan Cotter, currently in his early 30s, provides a warm and comfortable approach towards his customers as they shop through his store. After ten years of shopping at the Salvation Army and beginning to sell clothing on the internet as a side job, Nolan has found immense pleasure in thrifting and buying cool, affordable clothing. Wearing an oversized T-shirt and cargo pants while sitting on the couch, he claims excitedly, "I always felt like there was a stigma wearing used clothing, but now it has widened and grown in popularity." Nolan decided to open a physical store and has become successful in running this business on his own. He noted that, "I'd potentially use friends or family to work here, but for now it's just me." With a busy schedule of visiting flea markets for new merchandise and carefully picking out donated items that resonate with the store every week, Nolan's friendly personality never diminishes. During our conversation, a young customer with a patterned t-shirt and jeans eagerly entered the store. Nolan politely got up and offered assistance. 

"Looking for anything specific today?" Nolan asked in a thoughtful tone with his hands in his pockets.

"Just looking around," the young man replied, looking in awe at the wall art. 

"Mi casa es su casa," Nolan assured him with a delightful grin. 

Either finding something in particular or just browsing through the racks of clothing, Nolan emphasizes that no matter what you pick out or wear could never be a wrong outfit. People should style and wear what they truly find happiness and love in without worrying about other people's judgements or approval.  Bloom Vintage doesn't just serve as a convenient second-hand clothing shop in town, but as an environment that supports authenticity and self-worth. 

Laundry Room

Overlooking the Laundry Room

Nothing says "I'm living the college life" more than carrying a dirty load of clothes down seven floors in the dorms and just praying that there is an open washer and dryer. The laundry room is something people use every day and it is so overlooked. Here in Elwell Hall at Bloomsburg University, where hundreds of students access this space, we tend to see it as just an ordinary room, but what isn't observed is the atmosphere: The crowded nights, the industrial look, the environment, and the small details that are even more overlooked. The facility is not meant to be a comfortable or social place, yet it is there to act efficiently. It may only be washers, dryers, clothes, and pipes but it serves its purpose and no more.  

First Steps 

(A user doing laundry)

Stepping into the Elwell laundry room, there is not much but the first details that stand out are the cold and industrial feeling you are hit with. The walls, the lights, the ceiling are also amongst the first things that are noticed in every room, especially this one. The walls are a bright white color while the ceiling has countless pipes that allow the area to operate properly. Pipes are all different colors, some insulated and some not, most of them being connected to the countless machines. There is no decoration on the walls except for the pipes but mostly the ceilings that are exposed for easy access. Logan Coone, a frequent user of the laundry room, emphasized “it gives off a cold industrial vibe and something you would expect in a horror movie scene." In this room and seeing all this going on, the first thing that is felt is just a cold sensation. The exposed pipes and basic decoration are a prime example of what an industrial building would be like. To add to this, bright white LEDs illuminate the space. There is absolutely no natural light, meaning that the windows in this area are non-existent. These lights and lack of windows add to the cold sensation and make this facility feel exposed and confined, however, it also feels like a very clean space. It is clear that from the pipes everywhere to the lighting, rather than feeling like a cozy space, the Elwell laundry room serves its purpose and is functional.

(Instructions and Rules)

While we focus on how the room feels, let's take a look at its functionality. It is filled with machines lined and stacked row by row. The large number of washers and dryers are ultimately what serves the rooms’ intention. When you walk in through the industrially thick doors you see rows and rows of washers and columns of stacked dryers. Each machine has its own instructions (see figure 2) and is made so simple and easy to use. Without these instructions, there will be chaos amongst the space and with an entire dorm hall that is very likely. Overall, the room is meant to be a place of productivity and order.  Rows of machines can be found all around the perimeter stacked on each other. In addition to the rows of machines, there are a few bonus units: Three extra-large dryers and a huge fan in the entrance, which add so much more functionality to the room. The fan keeps the room cool and air circulating, as having constantly being used, body heat will rise and so will the temperature, the fan solves this. The extra-large dryers help cut the drying time in half and allows for more clothing to be fit inside the barrel. These bonus machines make doing laundry much more efficient. Everything in this room has a goal and that is made clear by the way it is set up and ran. While it can get chaotic, by taking heed to the instructions, this room makes as efficient as a small laundromat can be. 

                                                             Unnoticed

(Alternate View of Laundry Room)

Everyone focuses on how the machines dominate and complete this room but so many little features are overlooked. For example, the lonely socks, the left behind detergent, the lint can, and the list goes on. Users don't realize these minute details but so much can be observed from the miscellaneous objects. It shows the character of the new, still teenage freshman using the laundry room and the little elements that construct it. Not to mention the lonely yet comfy chair sitting on top of the square table. It has been there since day one and nobody seems to take action towards it, yet nobody cares that it is there. Not much can be observed from the chair sitting on top of the table, but it just shows how everyone is there to get laundry done and they don't really care about how it is set up. These intricate details add lots of character to the room and make it feel less like a mechanical area and shows that this is a high traffic area. 

Getting Busy

By far the busiest time of day has got to be the evening right around seven o'clock. It is not an exaggeration to say that none of the 50 washers or dryers are available. One student carried down a hamper full of clothes 7 flights of stairs this past Sunday evening and had to wait 20 minutes in a line to get an open washer. This line was 5-7 people long and they were all visually disappointed, however friendly and helpful when interacted with. Logan Coone stated, "any nighttime around 7-9 is the worst time to go because I always have to wait." This shows that there even though the room is not physically packed with people, the silence is filled by the clothes occupying the machines. Coone has another huge problem with the laundry room that he cannot stand and that is when no dryers are available. He frustratingly said, “I get laundry done any way because I throw people’s shit out of the way." Coone admitted he hates it when other people do that to him. This has become a problem in Elwell Hall where people remove others clothes and it is clear by hearing some of the users of the laundry room speak. Clearly nobody likes it when it is done to them, but everyone does it anyways. Laundry is something that hopefully everyone does, probably don't like it, and to add to it, it can be very frustrating and difficult when no machines are available. 

Owen Minzer, another frequent user, spoke to the janitor monitoring the room. "It's crazy, all these machines and not one is open."

"Well," she replied, "the issue is nobody sets a timer for when their laundry is done."

"I know this sounds unethical," Minzer asked, "but am I allowed to throw other users' laundry on top of the machine?"

The janitor took a second and smirked with a subtle side-eye. "It's not my laundry."

Minzer proceeded. 

Taking a look at the bigger picture of Bloomsburg's Elwell Hall Laundry room, it is way more than just a facility with a few machines in it. There is much more to it like the engineered efficiency, the frustrated users, every little detail observed from top to bottom, and standing out, the industrial feel. Everything has it purpose; The pipes keep the machines flowing, the machines are strategically placed to maximize the space given, the instructions give users an easy time, and even the uncomfortable feel of this room seems to have its function. All in all, the laundry room may not be the most exciting place to be on campus but its constant use every day shows how a small mindless hub can be a huge part in everyone's everyday life.

A Taste of Italy

“Taste of Italy is very unique for many reasons. We are elegant fine dining facility that sticks to tradition with everything being homemade. We get only the best Italian imports to use.” The owner John Venturi stated about why people choose Taste of Italy to dine for Italian food. John mentioned everything being homemade which is hard to find in restaurants these days. I myself have a italian background and italian food is the most popular for a classic elegant dinner. That's why Taste of Italy falls in that category, it has calm authentic italian vibe with the food being a popular favorite. 

      The moment you walk in the restaurant you can already feel the environment of a authentic Italian restaurant. I can smell the fresh Italian food from the kitchen and I can hear the classic Italian music playing in the background. The restaurant wasn't that big with a bar in one room and a salon in the other. I was first greeted by the waitress Kirsten with a welcoming hello and seats me at a table next to a big window that. Kirsten gave me a few minutes to order my food. The menu looked very elegant and fancy.I've noticed that the salon has these big windows that really let the light in so the place doesn't look as dark. 

1pm Lunchtime Small Salon Room

      When Kirsten came back I decided to order the Shrimp Alfredo with fettuccine. The wait time for my food did not take long and when I got it the dish looked phenomenal. The cream sauce was just full of flavor and the shrimp my personal favorite was excellent. The cream sauce was so rich and creamy with a hint of the shrimp in it and with the extra parmaesan cheese I put on top It really topped it off. When Kirsten came back for my plate I said that the plate was delicious. I decided to order dessert but I was unsure what to get. I asked Kirsten what her personal favorite is and she said " the Cannoli with cherries and pistachios".  I ended up ordering that. When I got the Cannoli it looked like a artwork because of the way it was all put together. Plus with the whipped cream and orange slice to top it off. The Cannoli was delicious with the cherries and pistachios, which was a beautiful combination. 

Cannoli With Cherries and Pistachios 

Fettuticine Shrimp Alfredo

      I wanted to thank the owner for the amazing experience I had. So I told Kirsten if I could speak with the owner. Sure enough John Venturi came around back and I spoke to him saying how this is rather the best Italian food I've had in Bloomsburg. John Thank me for the compliment. I asked John a little more about how he started the place and what got him into the restaurant business. He noted " well my father owned a restaurant and I always worked with him there and it just really became a passion from there on". He briefly explained how at first it wasn't so easy starting his own business. " It really took a lot of driven motivation to become a successful business owner and give the people what they want a authentic Italian restaurant. It really took time and lots of advertising to start getting well known." He was also telling me about his Italian heritage. How his father is from Calabria region of Italy. And he showed me the pictures on the wall of Mandatoriccio the small town where his father grew up in. 

As John speaks I've noticed he likes to move his hands and make gestures whenever he's on a topic he talks about.. He also has a Italian accent which when some of his words have a extra pronunciation to it when he says it. John really got his passion from working with his Uncle and his father at there restaurant. He cooked there since he was 9. He got the best skills from true Italians. 

People should really go to this restaurant because they don't just give you a meal, they give a full blown experience with the best food, beverages, and service. This is the type of restraint that really suits me. Nice medium sized restart. Authentic cooking for the food. The owner with a proud Italian background that really shows how passionate he is about his heritage. I loved the staff that greeted me which was very welcoming. The place was very calm and had a warm welcoming environment. I definitely recommend to go if your looking for the best authentic Italian food in Bloomsburg.

The Hidden Center.

a dresser that has
 pamphlets, and pins

   Have you ever gone to the first floor of the Kehr Union building? For the most part the answer to that would be no, because nothing is really down on that floor, the only 2 ways of to get down to the first floor being through the fireside lounge elevator, or the door by the entrance of the Kehr Union Building. I would say however that the gender and sexuality resource center that resides on the first floor has a lot of resources that do have a lot of uses. the first time I went, because a friend, and roommate recommended it to me. 

   I went to the center on a Wednesday. The actual center seemed small at first. a dresser with a glass jar of flags and pads sat on the other side of the door. the person that sat at the front desk, and greeted me, I said hi back, and signed in through the paper sign in sheet. the actual center stood bigger rooms than what I had originally imagined. the person in charge of the center greeted me as I walked into one of the rooms. She had blonde hair that was braided into a ponytail, and wearing red business casual clothes. She kindly gave me a tour of the center. the outside area of the rooms had a grey couch with a tv that cycled through various genres of music. A table with a bunch of chairs, and a bookshelf with various books on the shelf also resided there. another table that had a few bean bag chairs close by it, and a small jar of jolly rancher candies. talking to a senior that was majoring in nutrition revealed that people from across campus, and the apartments that are farther away were going to this center for a variety of reasons, after talking to her for a little while I continued on my tour. The first room had a clothing closet that contained a few racks of various clothing like shirts, dresses, jackets, skirts, pants, and shoes. I ended up taking a few clothes with me back to my dorm because Megan mentioned that I could take some home with me if I wanted to. The room next to the clothing closet called the Mindfulness room had soundproof walls in it as well as a few comfy bean bag chairs, and pillows which can be used as a private room for therapy sessions, or if someone just wants to be left alone. The final rooms volunteers, or the people that worked there would work on things with the huge computer or talk about plans. 

comfy chairs, sofa and a table with the bi flag on the wall

   I naturally questioned how they get funding to do all of these events, and have all of these things at the center in the first place? Megan responded by saying the funding typically comes from the Bloomsburg University, and the government, if the center gets used by people, another way they get money happens during the yearly drag show in the fall semester either during September, or October, which is $15 dollars to get into the event, finally donations through staff or alumni, or physical things like clothing for the clothing closet, supplies such as rulers, highlighters, or other school supplies, donations from any of these outlets can help make sure that the center will have things in the future and have the ability to host more events Megan exclaimed. 

a glass jar filled with pride flags

I finally asked what kind of events they host throughout the year, and what kind of clubs they run over the course of the semester. she replied by saying "Some of the clubs that they host during the week Bloomsburg University Equality Alliance (BUEA) which holds 2 meetings a week every Tuesday, and Wednesday. Tuesdays have events held such as game night, and panels with guests on the second floor of Kehr Union, and Wednesday's events have people just talking, and either crocheting, or knitting things. A newer event held on Thursdays called Spark holds information sessions like how to cook on a budget, self-care, and digital kindness. During the course of the year, the center likes to hold events across campus, such as nachos, and navigating relationships, and the bi visibility celebration, as well as fundraisers like making, and selling bracelets for various organizations".    

Overall, the Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center remains a pretty vital resource center on campus that may go underutilized on campus, because a lot of people may overlook it, or just have no clue where it sets. It has resources across campus that can benefit students, staff, or alumni, and the events that happen across campus can hold new memories, and experiences.  

Endless Records

A view of the front of Endless Records

     From the second one walks in; it is as if a time machine transports you to a time before music could be streamed off social media platforms. Back to a time when music was valued as a form of art and self-expression. With every step taken, a new experience can be felt through the works of people from all walks of life. The green walls are covered with album covers and hand-drawn artworks, books fill the shelves and records sit in rows waiting for their artistry to be unwrapped and discovered. This creates a space that feels less like a traditional store and more like a collection of someone's interests. In the middle of it all is the owner, surrounded by the music and art that he has spent years collecting, studying and sharing with others from the community. Endless Records, located in downtown Bloomsburg, is a place where music, books, art, and history come together for all to enjoy.

    For the owner, Nick, his connection to music as physical media began long before he opened the store. As a teenager in the late 1990s he discovered a closet filled with his parents' old records. Albums from artists such as David Bowie, Steely Dan, and Fleetwood Mac introduced him to music that had been sitting in his own home. Around the same time, he found a used record store in Bloomsburg selling Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland for only five dollars. CDs were around twenty dollars at the time, making the used records an affordable choice for teenagers with record players at home. That five-dollar purchase became the beginning of his passion for records.

   

One of Nick's hand-drawn murals at Endless Records

    The first thing that stands out about the store is how much personality it has. Even the walls work to tell a part of the story. One wall is covered by a large landscape composed of a moon, mountains, a bird, and a person sitting beneath the night sky. Above the drawing, large hand-written lettering covers the wall. Next to the artwork two framed boards are hung with colorful pins and buttons. Rows of records fill wooden bins throughout the store, while books cover shelves in a separate room. Nick built the record cabinets himself and painted the walls and artwork throughout the store. "Everything here, I did," he said. This is not simply a store with merchandise placed on shelves for profit; it is a reflection of the person who runs it.

    After college, Nick's passion for music eventually became a career. He became involved with his college radio station and booked bands before moving to New York City, where he worked for the record label Matador Records for three years. What began as a personal love for music grew into a business where he could share and share that passion with the community. "I've been doing this since 2010 with an actual store," Nick explained.

    For Nick, physical media is more than something to listen to. He believes that owning a record gives people something permanent that streaming cannot. "When you own a copy, you actually own a copy... those online songs will never truly be yours," he exclaimed. 

Inside Scranton Commons at Bloomsburg University

 

  Going into Scranton Commons Dining Hall at Bloomsburg University, one of the first things that stands out becomes how busy and social the building can feel.  You walk into a wall of cool air, but then the smell of freshly baked pizza surrounds you like a warm blanket.  As you continue to walk through, you get more than just one aroma.  Whether you catch the smell of roasted corn at the "Local Harvest” station or the freshly charred hamburger at the “Ignite” station, you can always find something to eat. Students walk around choosing between different food stations while others sit at tables talking with friends.  The large windows allow natural light into the dining area and give students views of the mountains and trees surrounding campus. Depending on the time of day, the dining hall can sound of conversations, laughter, and dishes clinking together, specifically during lunch and dinner. Scranton Commons serves as not only a place where students get their meals, but also a place where they spend time with friends and become familiar with the people who work here.

One person who knows Scranton Commons better than almost anyone is Chip, who has worked their full time for 30 years. Shorter than the average person, she wears her all-black cooking attire and has a gentle smile that seems to follow her everywhere she goes. She immediately greets you with a soft grin and a "hello" or "how's your day been" at the register as slide your card through the machine, and when the lime green light appears, you continue into the dining hall. Chip originally became involved in the food industry because her family owned a restaurant in Maryland. After the restaurant closed, she moved to Bloomsburg with her husband, Dale. The two eventually began working in the Scranton Commons kitchen, where they prepared fresh foods for the salad bar, including produce, homemade dressings, croutons, and fruit. Over the years, the dining hall has changed. The kitchen no longer prepares as much fresh produce because of expenses and other changes, and the dining hall now purchases food through Sysco. Chip has also seen changes in the way students pay for their meals. Before 2020, students would hand their cards to workers for scanning, while today students scan their own cards at the register.

Chip

Although Chip has experienced many changes during her 30 years at Scranton Commons, the students remain her favorite part of the job. She explained that "the students are like family to her and that she enjoys building relationships with them". Because of these relationships, students have given her the nickname “Momma Chip.” Her connection with students has even led to some memorable moments. For her 75th birthday, a student brought her a cake, and people throughout the dining hall began singing “Happy Birthday” to her. In another memorable moment, Chip was voted Homecoming Queen and was given a crown and sash before riding through town in a pickup truck. These experiences show how employees at Scranton Commons can become more than just workers to students; they can become familiar and important parts of this college community.

"Family Dinner"

Students also have their own reasons for enjoying Scranton Commons. One student shared that they really like the building because of its large windows and views, especially the area known as the PA Room in the back right corner which you can find if you spot the khaki-colored stone wall with large iridescent silver metal letters. The student described it as having a great view of the mountains, especially during the fall when the trees change colors. Another student expressed that their favorite part comes from sitting down for dinner with friends and having what they described as “family dinners” around a long table. The last student beamed about specific meals, such as the “taco salad, pizza, salad bar, and variety of desserts”. One of those desserts included the “soft serve ice cream machine, which has an assortment of toppings to choose from and makes dinner just that more exciting after a long day”.  At the same time, another student pointed out some problems, including repetitive food choices, crowded mealtimes, and wanting more healthy options. Even with these complaints, the students noted that the dining hall remains convenient, especially because they live right next door and can easily stop in for a meal.

Scranton Commons also works to have a variety of choices for students. The chefs dressed in their all-black apparel, aprons, and hats provide 14 different dining stations, including vegetarian and vegan options. They also provide accommodations for students with food allergies, including a separate area in the kitchen designed to help prevent cross-contamination. These choices allow students with different dietary needs to find food that works for them. The dining hall has also received recognition for its food and dining experience. According to information about Bloomsburg's dining facilities, Scranton Commons ranks highly among college dining halls and has received recognition for its college food. While awards and rankings may seem impressive, the relationships between students and employees may make the dining hall most memorable.

Inside PA Room

After spending time learning about Scranton Commons and speaking with both staff and students, it became clear that the dining hall offers more than simply eating a meal. Beyond just providing meals, it serves as a place where students meet their friends, relax between classes, enjoy views of the campus, and develop routines during college. For employees like Chip, it can become a place where decades of memories and relationships take place. Her 30 years at Scranton Commons and her nickname, “Momma Chip,” show how strongly employees can become connected to the students they serve. Whether someone stops in for a quick meal, sitting down with friends, or saying hello to a familiar employee, Scranton Commons has become an important part of everyday life at Bloomsburg University.