Month: December 2020

5 Winter Rom-Com Favorites

It wouldn’t be winter break without a bewilderingly large selection of holiday romantic comedies cranked out by the dozen from Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix. (Newcomer Hulu has also entered the fray this year!) If you don’t know where to start, Professor Rysavy’s Intro to Creative Writing class has some recommendations.

Any Holiday Movie on the Hallmark Channel: Says student Kianna Bulin, “I love all of the Hallmark movies! I would always sit down on the couch with my mom and binge watch literally all of the ones that would appear that day or weekend. Most of them have the same story in the end. They all find love, and I think that’s very inspiring. It’s basically showing that everyone and anyone can find love unexpectedly or on purpose. It’s pretty cool.”

A Royal Christmas: Emily Taylor, a sweet and humble Philadelphia seamstress, is thrilled when her incredible boyfriend Leo finally pops the question with the holidays right around the corner. But his proposal includes a tiny little detail he’d never mentioned before…he’s actually Prince Leopold, heir to the throne in a small European country! When Leo’s mother, Queen Isedora, finds out about the engagement, she’s furious that her son plans to marry a commoner without her blessing, so she invites the pair to spend Christmas in Cordinia and attempts to sabotage their relationship at every turn. Will the Queen succeed in driving Leo and Emily apart, or will true love be able to conquer all the challenges standing in the way of their happily ever after? A Royal Christmas​ is the perfect mixture of the stories of ​Cinderella​, ​The Princess Diaries​, and Prince William and Kate. Like all Hallmark rom-coms, it’s cliché and predictable and wholly unrealistic, but hey—that’s what makes them so freaking irresistible. If you’re like me, a total sucker for romantic Christmas movies (especially royal ones!), then this film is for you! Watch on Saturday, Dec. 26, on the Hallmark Channel, or buy it for $9.99 on Amazon. —Mallory Allen

Merry Kissmas: Kayla is engaged to Carlton, a conceited film and stage choreographer who treats her poorly. One day, she runs into Dustin, a gentleman who is a caterer, on an elevator ride, and the two share a magical kiss. While Kayla is instantly attracted and intrigued by Dustin, Carlton begins to treat Kayla well, and Dustin becomes distant. Kayla must sort out her feelings and decide who her heart is truly with. Who will she pick? Available on Amazon Prime. —Mara Allen

A Princess For Christmas: A classic “ordinary girl,” Jules, and her family try to fit in at an estranged, wealthy family member’s manor. She falls in love with a princely bachelor, all while trying to keep her family together and give them a nice Christmas. Little does she know there’s more to him than meets the eye. Available now on Netflix. —Jasmine Hanson

Sense, Sensibility, and Snowmen:  Anyone who’s had me in a literature class knows I love Jane Austen. I was surprised to discover that I’d missed an Austen-inspired holiday rom-com that debuted last winter on the Hallmark Channel: Based off a similarly named Austen novel, Sense, Sensibility, and Snowmen “centers on Christmas enthusiast party planners Ella and her sister, Marianne, who clash with their client, Edward, a not-so-jolly toy company CEO.”
You’d think that I’d know better than to get anywhere near this movie, having been burned one too many times by Hallmark’s modern-day updates of Austen’s works. After the bewilderingly terrible Unleashing Mr. Darcy (a 2016 film that set Pride and Prejudice in the dog-show world); Christmas at Pemberley Manor (the movie version of a Lunesta pill, from 2018); and Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe (an equally sleep-inducing offering, also from 2018), I should be way too jaded to give this thing a try.
Am I going to watch it anyway? Yes. Yes, I will.  Will I probably want to gouge my eyes out with a nutcracker’s tiny little fist if I do? Sigh. Probably. Fortunately, I know several more Austen fans whom I can drag down with me. (Looking at you, Bethany Welch….)
Available on YouTube Movies or to buy from Amazon and other streaming sites. —Professor Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

Dear Santa: When privileged big-city socialite Crystal Carruthers is given an ultimatum by her parents—either find a way to change her irresponsible ways or she’ll be cut off—she’s left with no idea how to be a part of something bigger than herself. Then, Crystal finds a letter written by a seven-year-old named Olivia asking Santa Claus to bring her widowed father a new wife. Fearing the little girl’s heart will be broken if her wish doesn’t come true, Crystal tracks this father-daughter pair down and begins volunteering at Derek’s struggling soup kitchen, making it her mission to win the duo over by Christmas and in turn, prove to everyone who believes she’s nothing but a rich party girl that there’s more to her than they all thought. Full of love, laughter, and tons of heartwarming cheer, ​Dear Santa​ is the perfect romantic comedy to remind us all of the true meaning of Christmas this holiday season! Available on PeacockTV (free version). —Mallory Allen

Deadpool: I’m not a huge rom-com person so I’m saying Deadpool because that is totally a Valentine’s romance movie and February is still winter. Wade Wilson has a very healthy and secure relationship with his  girlfriend in the movie. He even killed lots of bad guys to save her. Sounds romantic to me. Available on Hulu and for rental on other sites. —Derek Jepson

Holiday 2020

8 More Winter Movie Recommendations

Creative Writing Student Gabe Butler respectfully declined to recommend a holiday rom-com, saying, “Honestly, Hallmark movies are annoying to me. There are so many that have the exact same plots, same actors, same tropes but are never the exact same movie. For example, let’s look at Christmas Princess and A Princess for Christmas. Same actress in both movies, same plot, etc. However, they’re still not related?? What a racket!!”

Just so Gabe doesn’t feel left out, here are some more winter or holiday movies to enjoy this season:

The Polar Express: This movie came out in 2004, so you will get to experience some terrible and outdated animation while watching this Christmas classic. Also, are you a fan of Tom Hanks? If you said yes, I have some great news for you: Hanks plays adult Hero Boy, Hero Boy’s father, a hobo, Santa Claus, puppet Ebenezer Scrooge, and the conductor in the film. Not only does he play all those roles, he also plays most of them without different voices for each character! The Polar Express has a child-like wonder about it, so anything bad about the movie is made up for with this mood. Available on FuboTV or to rent from Amazon and other services. —Serenity Block

Eloise at Christmastime: I’ve watched this movie since I was four, yet I still love it to this day … no shame! Eloise, a vibrant, nosy, sucker-for-all-things-romance six-year-old living in New York’s Plaza Hotel. wishes for the perfect Christmas for all of her friends and family. But when the hotel owner’s daughter comes back to get married on Christmas Eve, Eloise believes that she isn’t in love with her soon-to-be husband, and can’t help but try to intervene to help her find true love—a few days before the elegant ceremony is set to take place. Can she do it? Available on DVD through the Disney Store. —Mara Allen

Elf: I would consider the movie Elf to be my favorite Christmas movie. I watch it every year because I just find it hilarious and just overall a good movie to watch! Available on Starz and for rental on other streaming sites. —Kianna Bulin

Jingle All the Way: Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad, this film is a fantastic example of how late-term capitalism can tear apart a family, especially during the holidays. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a successful businessman who forgets to buy his son the one thing he wants for Christmas, a Turboman doll. On his quest to find the most popular toy in the whole country, he meets a deranged mailman played by Sinbad, who wants to help Arnold. Wacky hijinks ensue from that point on. Available to rent from Amazon and other streaming sites.  —Gabe Butler

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Two students recommended this film, which is available on Disney+ and for rent on several other streaming sites:

• First of all, it’s good for two holidays. Second, the music is the best. —Taryn Cross
• I love The Nightmare Before Christmas, mostly because of the music, even though I don’t celebrate Christmas myself. I love “This is Halloween,” “Sandy Claws,” all the music. Marilyn Manson’s cover is phenomenal. I listen to the soundtrack regularly throughout the year. —Derek Jepson

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: A beloved Christmas movie that’s about Christmas being for everyone and how joy comes from being with the people you love, not the materialistic gifts that one gives and gets. The character of the Grinch is a source of comedy as well, which will keep you laughing and loving the grumpy character as he goes through a “change of heart” about what the true meaning of Christmas is. Available on Netflix and for rental elsewhere. —Jasmine Hanson

The Man Who Invented Christmas: Celebrated Victorian author Charles Dickens was riding high on the success of his bestselling novel Oliver Twist, but his three subsequent books were all major flops. Since he’s spent himself into debt renovating his London townhouse, he has to write another bestseller before his creditors come calling. His publishers are demanding a Christmas novel, and he’s all over the idea. There’s just one problem: He has a raging case of writer’s block. Based on the true story of how Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol, this film is a warm, fuzzy delight. If you’re at all familiar with the main beats of the holiday classic novel, you’ll be entranced by the story inspiration Dickens finds all throughout this lovely film. Starring Downton Abbey‘s Dan Stevens as Charles Dickens and Christopher Plummer as the Scrooge who’s slowly taking shape in his imagination. Available to rent from Amazon and other streaming sites. —Professor Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York: Home Alone 2 is my favorite holiday movie. It is a laughter-filled movie yet also heartwarming in certain points. Watching Kevin defeat the bandits is hilarious. Available on Disney+ and for rental on other streaming sites. —Hailey Miller

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey: Featuring a predominantly Black cast, including Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker, Jingle Jangle serves up a steampunk holiday tale about a jaded toymaker (Whitaker) whose heart grows three sizes after a visit from his sweet little granddaughter. Also starring Anika Noni Rose (aka Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog), Puerto Rican music star Ricky Martin, and comedian Keegan-Michael Key. Now available on Netflix. —Professor Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

Holiday 2020

Library Winter Break Hours

Just a reminder that the Marinette Campus library will operate on reduced hours over break. Due to COVID, the library is still only open to UWGB students and faculty/staff.

Library Winter Break Hours

• Tuesday, December 22 – Sunday, January 10: Closed
• Monday, January 11 – Thursday, January 14: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Friday, January 15 – Monday, January 18: Closed for the MLK holiday.
• Tuesday, January 19 – Friday, January 22: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, January 23 – Sunday, January 24: Closed

Holiday 2020

Fiction: Darling Jim by Christian Moerk

Holiday 2020

Cross Country Skiing in Marinette County

One of the best things about living in the North Woods is the availability gorgeous and free cross-country skiing available. As soon as we get our first significant snow, it’ll be time to hit the trails!

If you have a set of skis, bring them with you when you return from winter break! We have groomed ski trails in Marinette County at the following locations:

• Governor Thompson State Park, N10008 Paust Lane, Crivitz, WI. Click the link for a trail map.
• Peshtigo River State Forest: 5 miles west of Crivitz off of County Rd. W onto Kirby Lake Lane. Click the link for a brochure and trail map.

You can get updates on trail conditions at the Marinette County website and the Skinny Ski website.

Please note that you’ll need a daily pass or annual sticker to park at and use state park trails. For more information, visit the WI state parks website.

We haven’t yet heard of any local cross-country ski rental locations. If you know of any—or know of other local trails we didn’t mention—please email Professor Rysavy, and she’ll put them into the next Driftwood.

Holiday 2020

Warm Drinks to Soothe Stress

• Chamomile tea: Known in Latin America as “manzanilla,” chamomile tea has been used for hundreds of years there to help soothe a host of ailments, from stomachaches, to colds, to insomnia. Chamomile is especially known for its relaxation properties, so it’s great for reducing stress. In addition, an article in Medical News Today notes that some studies show chamomile may help lower blood sugar, lessen menstrual cramps, slow or prevent osteoporosis, and maybe even target cancer cells.
• Peppermint Tea: If you want a more flavorful tea than chamomile, peppermint tea also helps with sleep and stomach problems.
• Green Tea: Instead of reaching for a Red Bull when you’re cramming for exams, try a cup of green tea. It’ll give you a caffeine boost, plus a shot of cancer-fighting antioxidants and stress-reducing theanine. If you don’t need the caffeine, drink a decaf version.
• Mulled Cider: The scent alone is enough to send you to your happy place, but mulled, or spiced, cider tastes as good as it smells. See the “Cooking at Home” section for a delicious mulled cider recipe.
• Almond and Maple Hot Chocolate: Hot chocolate is always a sweet treat. For a slightly healthier version than the norm, try this recipe, made with almond milk and maple syrup.
• Cold Formula Blended Teas: Some tea companies, like Traditional Medicinals or The Republic of Tea, offer tea blends made with cold-soothing herbs like hyssop, ginger, yarrow, or slippery elm bark.
• Echinacea Tea: Research shows that echinacea helps support the immune system, which can only be a good thing during the challenging winter months to come. Look for teas that include echinacea purpurea, the most beneficial type, according to several scientific studies.

Holiday 2020

New Spring History, Theatre, and Business Classes

In this section, Marinette campus professors let you know about new courses that they’re excited to teach in Spring 2021. 

Spring History, Theatre, and Business Classes

Looking for answers?!? Wondering how in the world the world got to the place we’re in? You need History/Humanities 102, Western Civilization from 1500 to the Present, a wild romp through the history of the Western World from the time of Martin Luther to the present! Read and learn about the Reformation, the 30 Years’ War, the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, the emergence of the modern nation-state, expansion to the Americas, the American and French Revolutions, the development of the modern urban-industrial society, nationalism, romanticism, two World Wars, and more! How did we get to where we are today? Come and find out! HIST/HUM 102 will be a hybrid course on the Marinette campus.

THE 211: World Theatre and Performance
with Professor Rebecca Stone Thornberry

THE 211: World Theatre and Performance is an introduction to the performing arts through multiple global perspectives. Key genres and styles emerging from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe will be studied in depth by examining performance traditions as they transform in relation to changing historical and social conditions.

What Professor Stone Thornberry loves about teaching the class: “The class feels like a trip around the world in which we view cultures through their performance traditions. Every time I teach the course, I learn something new about fascinating places, performances, and theatre artists.”

This course will be hybrid at the Marinette campus.

BUS ADM 202: Business and Its Environment
with Professor Sue Craver

BUS ADM 202: Business and Its Environment examines the major components of the business enterprise and its resources, competitive and regulatory environment, pricing, profit, finance planning, controls, ethics, environmental impact, social responsibility and other important concepts, as well as environmental issues that challenge the business leader.

Professor Craver’s online sections are full at the moment, but she has plenty of space in her M/W in-person class on the Marinette campus.

She says, “It is a required course if students are going into business, but it can also be used as an elective for non-business students. It is an excellent course which offers highlights of many areas of business (marketing, management, human resources, finance, etc.). So if students are unsure of what they want to do for a career—or a major—this would be a good course to add to their schedules so they can explore the business world a bit more.”

Holiday 2020

From the Driftwood Kitchen

This semester, The Driftwood will bring you easy-peasy recipes for new cooks. We’re talking REALLY easy—and fast.

Mulled Cider

Brew this recipe up in a coffee maker for a pot of delicious mulled cider in minutes. If you don’t have a coffee maker, just warm the ingredients in a slow cooker or large pan. In that case, you may want to decrease or omit the brown sugar. 

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ tsp. whole allspice
• 1 tsp. whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 large orange, cut into quarters, with peel
• 1-2 quarts apple cider

Directions: 

1. Get out your coffee maker. Put a filter in the basket.
2. Fill the filter with all ingredients except the apple cider.
3. Pour the apple cider into the reservoir where the water usually goes.
4. Set to brew. In minutes, you’ll have a pot of hot, delicious mulled cider.
5. Optional: Garnish with orange slices, star anise, and a cinnamon stick.
6. You’ll still have cider left over after you brew your first pot. Just keep brewing until you want to stop or you run out of cider. Check the filter between brewing to see if any ingredients need replenishing.

Makes 2 quarts of cider. For a large party, pour the cider into a slow cooker and garnish. To store, pour into a pitcher and refrigerate.

Holiday 2020

“Untitled” by Hannah Blom

This piece was created by Green Bay campus art student Hannah Blom for Professor Lydia Dildilian’s Two-Dimensional Design class. For this assignment, says Professor Dildilian, “students learn how to analyze the value system of an achromatic image of a person and simplify it to create a 5- value composition which maps the shape and planes of a human face. The goal for these portraits is to practice and understand value and its relationship to shape.”

View more art at Hannah’s website.