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Show A&EDiversions Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 Page 6 Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com Reliving the now and then of Logan Book brings something unique to its readers Do you love coffee? Do you feel a need to be unique? Do you compulsively recycle? Do you own a pair of wire-rim glasses or a plaid shirt? Did you answer yes to these questions? If so, congratulations. You are definitely white, at least that’s what Christian Lander stated in his book, “Stuff White People Like: The Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions.” Written as a guide for those trying to befriend “white peoKasey Van Dyke ple,” this book offers staff writer a satirical view of Americans, often playing off stereotypes, such as the perfect vegetarian or the pseudointellectual college Grade A graduate. As far as literary “Stuff White People Like: merit is concerned, The Definitive Guide this book is lacking, to the Unique Taste of but it brings someMillions” thing new to social commentary. Lander’s writing is both cutting and poetic, luring the reader to his guide. As college students, we barely have time to think and eat – forget about reading. But this 211-page book is great for the few minutes between class and work. Broken up into page-long sections, with titles like “Beards,” “Reusable Shopping Bags” or “Liberal Arts Degrees,” you can burn through a few topics each day just waiting for class or the bus. After you’ve finished the book, take the quiz at the end to see how “white” you really are (I’m 76 percent white). Not enough room in your backpack? Check out www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com for your daily fill, as well as more information about the book and its author. –k.vandyke@aggiemail.usu.edu Book Review the merrill library sat upon the Quad before it was torn down in 2006. The library was built over part of an existing library that was erected in 1930. photo courtesy DARRIN SMITH By COURTNIE PACKER features editor The only thing constant is change, and a Utah State University alumnus said that is exactly what his book is all about. From the late 1880s to the present time, the City of Logan has changed in many different ways. Hyrum resident Darrin Smith gathered these changes and created the book “Logan Reflections: Photographs Then, Now and in Between.” Smith said the book is filled with 190 pages of photographs of Logan and Logan Canyon from as early as the late 1880s. Each page is filled with historical information regarding the photographs, as well as a modern-day shot of every historic photo. Smith said he has always enjoyed local history and knowing it was Logan’s sesquicentennial this year, he wanted to do something. He said he knew he wanted to help update Logan’s history, yet make it fun. “I have always been fascinated with time and how it changes things,” he said. “I knew it took time and effort, but I wanted to give this gift to the community. Creating this book takes someone who is half-crazy and half-anal, and I am both.” Smith said the idea for the book came after a quick visit to Sam’s Club. He said a book capturing then-and-now photos of Salt Lake City caught his eye and it struck him hard. He knew this is what he wanted to give back to the community of Cache Valley. And after a timely process, Smith was able to team up with The Herald Journal and create the book. “It was chaotic,” Smith said. “The way we did things was not the way you write a book.” Smith said he would gather photographs and give them to the editor who worked with the placing of the images. Smith would then research and write about the photo and fill as much of the allotted space as possible. However, Smith said that is why he was grateful for such a wonderful editor, Charles McCollum. “I wanted more information, and my editor wanted less,” Smith said. “He wanted more of a pictorial and I wanted more of a history book with pictures. His wisdom was better than mine. He was fantastic and he made this book shine.” Smith said he had many challenges when putting together a pictorial book, especially with issues regarding copyright for many of the photos. Smith had to call a postcard company and ask for the use of the images on its postcards. He also found images at Brigham Young University and many through USU special collections, which he says he is grateful for. “USU bent over backwards to help me with this book,” he said. “I received a lot of help. This is my payback to the community.” Smith said he has been collecting photos and other memorabilia for many years. He said he collects a lot of Mormon memorabilia and Utah-related postcards. However, Smith said his main focus is photos of Logan. He feels he can relate better because it is something he constantly sees. Many of the historic photographs found within the book are from his collection of nearly 300 postcards. Many also - See BOOK, page 7 The quad currently lies vacant where the former Merrill Library sat. In 2005 the library moved to its new location on campus. photo courtesy DARRIN SMITH Love that bites This week’s article is dedicated to relationships, or the lack thereof. I have heard a lot of disappointing stories of people with not enough dates, or in one guy’s case, far too many. I wish I could claim not knowing what to do because I have so many dates. Enjoy. 1. I heard this from a guy walking into the business building. “All these girls like me and it’s so hard, because I’m too nice to say no.” Hmmm … Too nice to say no or too desperate? 2. “I don’t know why he still won’t go out with me. It’s not like I’m still a slut. I got a job at the mall. That totally makes me a nice person.” 3. Two freshman girls: “Oh my God, I’m so mad.” “Oh no, why?” M. Johnson “Because I still haven’t staff writer been asked out on a date. Isn’t college about dating hot guys and lots of them? Ughhh.” “What we’re hearing” She sits back in her chair with frustration, folds her arms and says, “My mom so lied to me. She told me guys would, like, line up around the block waiting to date me. I’m so done with college.” Right, this could be a legit concern, but school has only been in session for two weeks. Calm down honey. 4. Young girl talking on the phone: “I don’t know, maybe if I like starve myself for like a week he’ll start to notice me. I could stand to lose a couple pounds anyway.” Please keep in mind this girl is not taller than 5-foot-1-inch and can’t weigh more than 100 pounds. 5. “I won’t get married till after my birthday, so I don’t contribute to the teen bride statistic.” 6. And lastly, to kill the curiosity of a table full of girls at High Stakes Bingo I have answers for you. 1. “Yes, Brady is taken – engaged for that matter. And no, not even in your dreams will he sing you a love song.” 2. “Tai, taken as well. His girlfriend is cute, it’s perfect so don’t mess. As for the little plan your girls conjured up … don’t even try. I promise you it won’t work.” Sorry ladies. 3. “As for Bill, I cannot answer. I’ll see what I can find out.” Never forget, in the words of Thornton Wilder, “There is nothing like eavesdropping to show you that the world outside your head is different from the world inside your head.” And with that, please remember there is someone listening. Fly on the Wall |