by Camryn Given | Jul 7, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
If you’ve ever decided to take the back roads, you’re no stranger to the iconic scene of cows grazing in pastures along rolling hills. You might have even pulled over to get a closer look at these giant creatures. If you did, you would see animals that are so huge you would imagine them to be nothing but clumsy and overpowering. However, they’re delicate and just calmly graze on the lush grass. The Gentle Barn is the perfect tale of this enigma. There’s no better place to get up close to the animals you’ve always wanted to. It’s a family-owned farm only a quick drive outside of Nashville. From cows to goats to pigs, they’ve got it all. Now, this isn’t a farm like you’ve seen before. The animals aren’t there for milking or food or just to be observed; they are there to be pet and hugged. For an entrance fee of $20, you can actually cross the gate that always separates you from all the animals. Right when you walk in, you’ll find a pasture with a handful of cows who might be enjoying some back rubs or ear scratches or chomping on some grass. The volunteers are more than willing to tell you the background stories for all the animals, but fair warning that some are pretty heart-breaking. One that stood out to me was the story of Lolli, a young goat that lives with her parents at the farm. Lolli was rescued from a neglect situation that left her frostbitten and caused the loss of her back legs. Now, she lives happily at the Gentle...
by Kahwit Tela | Jul 6, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of mental illness and self-harm. Comedian and internet personality Bo Burnham makes fun of his own mental stresses caused by COVID-19 in a new Netflix special. “Inside” was used to document Burnham’s own feelings of loss and yearning during the year-plus quarantine. Burnham best summarizes the entirety of 2020 in the opening number of Inside, “Content.” Burnham sings “If you had told me a year ago that I’d be locked inside of my home, I would have told you a year ago: ‘Interesting; now leave me alone’.” Since its release on June 30 Inside has received critical acclaim for its unconventional presentation as well as its off-kilter, yet somewhat sad, approach to mental health during the pandemic. Critics such as Jason Zinoman of The New York Times praised the special and defined it as “a tricky work that for all its boundary-crossing remains, in the end, a comedy in the spirit of neurotic, self-loathing stand-up.” Lipscomb mental health counselor Ashley Dumas, who hasn’t seen the special, emphasizes that it is important and helpful that entertainers like Burnham are using their platforms to discuss issues of mental health. “Sometimes, I think people laugh about serious things because it feels too hard or scary to have real conversations…,” said Dumas Dumas hopes this program and other popular entertainment will help encourage people to admit their vulnerabilities and reach out for help. Dumas is also the assistant director of Lipscomb University’s Counseling Center (UCC) and has been working with college students on mental health issues. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, but the majority of...
by Rachel Pavelich | Jul 2, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, Fashion, News Slider
Hey friends! It’s been a while, but I hope you’re all having a great summer! Things are finally getting back to normal, and it is wonderful to celebrate the summer with friends! We all have a great reason to celebrate this week, as the 4th is Sunday! With things opening back up and gatherings beginning to occur again, the 4th is a great way to show off your style and your American pride. When I think of patriotic clothing, I think of red, white, and blue, of course! When I was little, my go to Independence day outfit was a Faded Glory flag tee and a pair of jean shorts. While still patriotic, I’ve realized that there are plenty of other ways to express yourself and your love for the US through what you wear on America’s birthday. Red white and blue are still my go-to colors for the day, but a way to modernize it is to mix and match the colors with prints. Try a solid navy top with red and white shorts for a flag look, or blue and white stripes or gingham with a red hair accessory or lipstick. Plenty of stores offer 4th of July themed attire. Target currently has a whole section in the women’s/juniors department of America-themed tees. If you’re going for a cute and casual look, pair one of these with a pair of shorts or a colored athletic skirt. If you’re looking for something to wear more than just on the 4th, Loft is a great option! Their new arrivals feature plenty of red, white, and blue that can fit...
by Jayme Foltz | Jun 29, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, COVID-19, News Slider
COVID left most Tennessee residents and tourists and performers saying goodbye to the 2020 entertainment scene in Nashville. Now, it’s 2021. Forty-five percent of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated and 53% of the population has received one dose of the vaccine. As the world continues to slowly go back to normal, so does Music City. With venues being reopened, artists getting out of the studios and their homes and fans ready to cheer, big name concerts and festivals are making a grand comeback to Tennessee. Here’s a sampling: Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th @ Downtown Nashville – July 4 The free concert is the city’s first major post-pandemic event and will be headlined by country music star Brad Paisley. Lily Hiatt, Regi Wooten and Friends, Priscilla Block, and more will also take the stage. The event will also feature the Nashville Symphony in a synchronized performance with what officials are heralding as the largest fireworks display in Nashville’s history. Lifest Music City @ Hideaway Farm – July 29-31 Originating in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Lifest extends Music City for the very first time with Lifest Music City. The Christian music festivals are presented by nonprofit organization Life Promotions, focused on supporting mental health and wellness in today’s youth. With three days filled with music and fun, Lifest gives the option to its concert goers to camp on the festival grounds. The festival will include performances from Newsboys, Skillet, Lecrae, Sidewalk Prophets, Mandisa, Matthew West, Michael W. Smith, and more. Luke Bryan @ Bridgestone Arena – July 30 Fresh off his third ACM Entertainer of the...
by Danny Kotula | Jun 21, 2021 | News Slider, Sports
Shane Streich’s Olympic qualifying run came to an end last weekend after his semifinal run in Eugene, Ore. on Friday. He finished in eighth in his semifinal run, two places away from being one of the six runners from the entire nation to race for the distinction of representing the United States in the 800-meter race at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Streich’s run finishes after a host of personal, school, and national accolades, including a sixth-place finish in the NCAA Men’s Track and Field National Championships, which were also held in Eugene earlier this month. Streich leaves Lipscomb as the first athlete in any sport to compete in Olympic qualifying for any nation. His single year as a graduate student at Lipscomb after transferring from Minnesota was among the most successful in Bisons history, achieving a national finals run as well as an ASUN Conference championship win. Graphic via Lipscomb...
by Danny Kotula | Jun 16, 2021 | News Slider, Sports, Student Spotlight
The past week has been electric for Shane Streich, Lipscomb Track and Field runner and first ever Lipscomb athlete to ever compete in a final at the NCAA Track & Field Championships. Streich recently spoke to Lumination about his record-breaking season and the exciting road ahead as a summer Olympics hopeful. Following this interview, Streich has offically qualified for the Olympic Trials set for Friday, June 18 in Eugene, Oregon. He is Lipscomb’s first ever athlete to represent the school in the Olympic Trials. He said of his aspiration to represent the United States as an Olympian “entering the season, my goal was to make it to the national meet,” “After that specific race, I not only gained confidence that I could compete at the national level for a potential NCAA championship; it [also] provided the much welcomed surprise of likely qualifying for my first Olympic Trials.” Shane Streich has been nothing less than dynamic on the track this spring and summer for the Bisons. He recently carried that momentum where no Bison has gone before: advancing to the final of a national championship track and field event, finishing sixth overall in the nation. On the way, Streich set the school record for an 800-meter race and for a 1500-meter race. Further, he was named the ASUN Conference’s Men’s Outdoor Championship Most Outstanding Track Athlete. Many, though, will not have known much of Streich’s story leading up to his moment in the spotlight Friday evening. Given that he’s a graduate transfer from Minnesota, that could certainly be forgiven, but a proper introduction feels necessary by now. The highly-decorated track and cross-country runner isn’t just...
