By Olivia Fisher

The holidays are coming fast! Some of these hits from the year have been climbing the charts. As the holiday parties begin, here are the songs that can get the people on the dance floor.

1. Gangnam Style by Psy

2. Locked In To Heaven by Bruno Mars

3. Ho Hey by The Lumineers

4. Die Young by Ke$ha

5. Home by Phillip Phillips

6. I Cry by Flo Rida

7. Try by Pink

8. Diamonds by Rihanna

9. Scream And Shout by Will.I.AM featuring Britney Spears

10. Beauty And A Beat by Justin Beiber featuring Nicki Minaj

11. One More Night by Maroon 5

12. Some Nights by Fun

13. Don’t Stop The Party by Pitbull Featuring TJR

14. Hall Of Fame by The Script featuring Will.I.AM

15. Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself) by NeYo

16. Feel Again by One Republic

17. Va Va Voom by Nicki Minaj

18. Catch My Breath by Kelly Clarkson

19. I Will Wait by Mumford And Sons

20. Anything Could Happen By Ellie Goulding

21. Too Close by Alex Clare

22. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

23. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson

24. 50 Ways To Say Goodbye by Train

25. Whistle by Flo Rida

26. Don’t Wake Me Up by Chris Brown

27. Live While We’re Young by One Direction

28. Begin Again By, Taylor Swift

29. Good Time by Carly Rae Jepson & Owl City

30. I Wont Give Up by Jason Mraz

31. What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction

32. Blow Me (One Last Kiss) by Pink

33. Titanium by David Guetta Featuring Sia

Music Special- The “New Original” Music

By Olivia Fisher

Who will be the next Mariah Carey? Shania Twain? Nicki Minaj? If you put it together the prime star in the music world is your own Olivia Fisher. All my life starting in 8^th grade, I started to write lyrics which I still do now. Responding to new heights of pop music I created  my own style of music called New Original genre. My music is based on real life experiences, emotions, feelings and new things that life gives me.

In 2010, I decided to try my hand in recording. I made mix tape versions of non-writeable songs “Here”, “Dancing Drum” and “Get Out Of My Face” which I created using my imagination in the studio using instruments and drum machine to pull off my own Nicki Minaj and Shania Twain style of music.

Right now I am in the midst of writing new songs that I think my audience will connect with because of its maturity. The “New Original” genre has broadened its wings to new horizons from the young girly world to the rock, edgy, fierce, and beautiful life music. My musical influences are Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Shania Twain, Selena Gomez, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Carrie Underwood, Hilary Duff, Beyonce, Carly Rae Jepson, Faith Hill, Rihanna, Jewel, Jordin Sparks, Lady GaGa, LeeAnn Rimes, M.I.A, Shakira and many others.

In my future I plan to become a recording artist with backgrounds in theatre and TV production. I want to do a lot of music videos for other music stars and work with them with my music as well.  As for my musical life, I plan to have a CD of my own at some point and take it from there.

By Jim Phillips

Gratitude is a condition of unquantifiable importance. It is among the sweetest of human emotions, and as valuable as it is, it often goes unrecognized in a nation where so many are fortunate enough to live without fear of survival. Sandwiched between the sugar-filled spookiness of Halloween and the snow-covered pine trees of Christmas, Thanksgiving has become an undervalued holiday.  As this autumn Thursday returns, however, it is time to recognize just why Thanksgiving is so special.

If one is to be thankful of anything this upcoming Thursday, it is that they are not among the original Pilgrims who endured 66 days at sea and a brutal winter before they could follow up on their dream of a new life in a new land. Although other theories exist about the true origin of Thanksgiving in America, the 1621 feast at Plymouth, Massachusetts remains the most well-known. Giving and receiving thanks is perhaps the most joyous action to partake in, and this first bountiful harvest by the settlers was perhaps the most satisfying payoff for their sacrifices.

This first Thanksgiving also teaches us a lesson in treating those around us with love and respect. The first Thanksgiving would not have been possible without the Wampanoag, Pawtuxet, and Abenaki Native American tribes. These Natives, most notably the Pawtuxet Squanto, taught the English settlers the art of growing and hunting food, and living a life of the greatest bounty in the new colony. Members of the Wampanoag tribe were guests at the feast. History shows a generally unfavorable relationship between European settlers and Native Americans, but Thanksgiving teaches that alliance, friendship, and cooperation are both possible and optimal between different groups.

Some people find pleasure in removing the joy from Thanksgiving. They reduce it to a day of giant balloons, football, annoying relatives, and gluttony. These people, while entitled to their opinions, may miss the primary reason to celebrate Thanksgiving; it is to give thanks and count their blessings. If traditional methods of celebration are not for these people, the least they can do is express gratitude in any small way they see fit, from hugging a loved one to saying a prayer. While turkey can be measured in pounds and drumsticks, a thankful heart remains imprinted in the universe for eternity.

This week we celebrated Veterans Day, a national holiday that celebrates the dedication of men and women who have served and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. We remember those who have committed their lives to protecting our country around the world and on our own soil. While we honor all those men and women today, we must also think about those who are currently involved in the efforts of cleaning up after Superstorm Sandy.

I had the honor of serving with the men and women with the 50th BSTB stationed out of West Orange, New Jersey. After my departure from the unit, Superstorm Sandy devastated our home state. The 50th BSTB was called upon to provide fuel escort security, hand out food and supplies, and provide makeshift shelters to those who were displaced by the storm.

Specialist (SPC) Aaron Jacobson, a member of Bravo Company 50th BSTB, has been activated since October 29 and has spent most of his time providing security for fuel vehicles and stayed over five days at a makeshift shelter providing comfort to the homeless and displaced people in Jersey City. SPC Jacobson said he witnessed down power lines, debris showered all over the roads and homes, buildings destroyed, and trees toppled over. After observing over 15 days of destruction, SPC Jacobson assures that morale is high within Bravo Company and that locals within the affected areas are overly appreciative.

Members of Bravo Company 50th BSTB have had the privilege to work with the Air Force, FEMA, and the Red Cross. Efforts from Bravo Company will continue until told otherwise.

We celebrate Veteran’s Day and it is appreciated that people are thanking our servicemen and woman, but don’t forget to keep thanking the members of the New Jersey National Guard and the all of those who are continuing to put our state back together.

This week is Alcohol Awareness week and across the country campuses are taking the time to promote alcohol abuse awareness. Each year when Alcohol Awareness is recognized there is a theme. This year‘s theme is “It’s Time to Talk About Drinking”. Talking opens the door to health risks, social aspects, and taboos that are all associated with alcohol.
Alcohol can negatively affect you physically, such as walking and talking with issue and behaving out of character, it can also cause dehydration. Alcohol is no friend to ones waistline, research from the Department of Health shows that if a man drink five pints a week that it is equivalent in calories to 221 doughnuts a year.
Alcohol poisoning, something that we hear about more often, caused approximately 30,000 people to be admitted to the hospital between 2007 and 2008. Alcohol poisoning, in worst case scenarios, can cause lung damage and heart attacks. It is important for the community to educate themselves on the proper way to handle alcohol poisoning.
Liver disease, diabetes, and pancreatitis are all diseases that have long term affects caused by alcohol. Heavy drinking is known to reduce the bodies’ sensitivity to insulin, which could generate type 2 diabetes. Middle aged people have been affected the most by these diseases, but in recent years research shows that the number of younger aged drinkers with complications is on the rise.
There is nothing wrong with social and casual drinking. It is important however to be aware of the risks of too much drinking. When a person becomes dependent on alcohol the effects could hinder relationships with family, friends, disrupt ones job, and overall there mental health.
This week, “It’s Time to Talk About Drinking.” Open up to the people around you and discuss the potential risks of drinking too much.

Taking top spot as this weekend’s box office hit, Paranormal Activity 4 raked in $30.2 million, a mere fraction of the $50 million profit Paranormal Activity 3 earned. Why? Well, it could be that the movie is chock full of chills, thrills, and plot holes galore.

 

The documentary-style flick follows a family of four as their lives are turned upside down when their new neighbor’s son brings with them a demonic spirit that torments, haunts, and terrifies the wide-eyed audience who spent their price of admission this weekend.

After the first three films, we come to understand that as a child, Katie and her sister have a pact with the demon, Toby, to sacrifice their first-born male child as is required of the demon-worshipping cult their grandmother invited them into. Time goes on, they get older, Toby gets stronger, people die, and low and behold, you have the fourth installment. All plot holes filled to this point, writers Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman decided to create a cluster of confusion in their fourth film.

Katie and Robbie, seemingly the kidnapped boy from the second Paranormal Activity, move next door to the family of four, complete with a teenage girl, Alex, two nearly-divorce parents, and the young adopted son, Wyatt. Struck ill with some illness, Katie leaves Robbie with the family while she gets better. Where did she go? I have no idea.

In typical Paranormal Activity fashion, audiences are treated to creepy camera angles, mysterious ambient hums, and unexplained movement of furniture. We see Robbie talking to who we assume to be Toby in the middle of the night. He also sneaks into Alex’s bedroom while she sleeps. We know this because Alex’s boyfriend, Ben, has set up cameras throughout the house to document the strange things that have been going on at night.

As Robbie and Wyatt grow closer, we find out that Robbie is “preparing” Wyatt for his “time.” Although we’re duped to believe that Robbie is really the kidnapped boy from Paranormal Activity 2, we find that he’s not and it is, in fact, Wyatt who is the kidnapped son, Hunter.

So wait a second. Why did Katie give Hunter/Wyatt up in the first place if she was just going to kidnap him again to sacrifice him? Who’s Robbie then? Why does he have an old fork and say it’s so important? Why, if Toby’s objective was to take Hunter/Wyatt away from the family, did he torment the younger sister? In the previous films, Toby’s violence piques to the point where he has to kill in order to get what he wants. In PA4, it seems he has a laundry-list of useless murders that provide no depth to the plot whatsoever. Why does Katie’s face distort into this piranha-esque monster who attacks Alex? So wait, where’s Toby? Is Katie a new demon? Why is it important that the parents are thinking about getting a divorce? Why can Alex NEVER remember her password and username to actually watch her recordings? What’s up with the tree-house? What. On. Earth. Did I just watch.

PA4 is a sure set up for yet another sequel due to release during the Halloween season next year. The popular franchise has audience members hooked not just by fear and curiosity, but utter confusion after this head-scratching brow-furrowing flick.

By Tyrone Williams

Oct 11 marks Sussex County Community College’s depression screening day. This day is set to help students understand depression and what depression can lead to. At the screening, we were showed stories that other people had to share. Some stories were even from celebrities like Pete Wentz, Ron Artest, and Mary J. Blige.

The screening was eye-opening. I didn’t know so many people who we consider to be role models went through such sad beginnings. It’s good to know that they, like us, are still human. Seeing them perform on stage and act, one wouldn’t assume such a difficult start, but many famous people had their struggles.

The guidance councilors on campus mentioned that if you or someone you know is in need of help, they are always willing to listen.

By Olivia Fisher

Now that colder season has started, you will be searching your closet and drawers for the perfect outfit. Here is your local fashion news of what is in style for the autumn chill.

Sweaters are in style! Choosing the right sweater, go with a bold color like red, pink, green, or any vibrant color. Scarves are fun to wear;  they come in different colors to match that perfect outfit. Jeans and corduroys are in style this season. You can mix and match in different colors.

Fashion has a lot in store for you this season: lots of accessories are on the shelves, gloves and head wear is coming in style this year. The latest footwear is UGG Boots, lined Crocs are useful, and of course cowboy/cowgirl boots are in style too.  Stay warm, everybody! It’s cold out there with this crazy fall weather.

It’s the night notorious for mischief, disguises, and the door-to-door hunt for delectable treats by dozens of trick-or-treaters eager to fill their sacks. According to an estimate provided by National Retail Federation, Halloween sales are expected to rake in about $8 billion this year,  making the holiday the second largest commercial holiday in America.
Jack ‘O Lanterns aglow and streets infiltrated with goblins, ghosts and ghouls of all shapes and sizes, America has defined Oct. 31 as the night of sweet treats and creative costumes. From Paganism to party-night, Halloween has undergone a transformation over the last 2,000 years.
“We view Halloween as a trivial holiday, a day for children to let their imaginations run wild and take in the guise of a variety of icons,” said history buff Tim O’Connor of Dingmans Ferry, PA. “The root of these celebrations, however, are based on a day of observance over a millennium old, if not older.”

Centuries before it became what it is today, Halloween served as a night of prophesy rather than partying.  Samhain, the festival for the Celtic new year, marked the day when summer ended and winter began. Associating winter with human death, the Celts believed that the border between the living and the dead became blurred, and the dead would return in the form of ghosts. It was thought that in the presence of these spirits, the Druids, or priests, were better suited to form prophesies.
People would build a bonfire as a sacrifice to the Celtic gods while wearing costumes comprised of animal heads and skins and attempt to predict each other’s futures. They would later light their own hearth fires with the bonfire’s flames for protection from winter’s devastation.
“There are arguments that All Saints Day and All Souls Day observed in Christianity were formed completely independently from Samhain, however there are too many themes linking the festivals,” O’Connor said.
After the Roman Empire had begun to rule most of the Celtic territory, two Roman festivals began to integrate with the Celtic Samhain. The first was a day of commemoration of the dead, and the other was in celebration of the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, Pomona. Pomona’s symbol, the apple, is widely accepted as the meaning behind the Halloween tradition of bobbing for apples.
As Christianity spread to Celtic land, Christian holidays like All Saints’ Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2) began to supplant the Celtic festival with similar rituals, but church-oriented. Similar to Samhain, All Souls’ Day was celebrated with bonfires, costumes, and parades. All Saints Day was otherwise called All-hollowmas, and the night before was called All-hallows Eve, leading to today’s accepted title “Halloween.”
America’s Twist on Halloween
The integration of Halloween customs in America was slow-moving at first considering the Protestant belief systems devoutly in place. As European influence blended with Native American traditions, the first harvest festivals in America took place which featured a celebration of the bounty as well as the sharing of ghost-stories.
With the influx of Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine in 1846, Halloween gained popularity in the States. Taking from the All Souls’ Day tradition of “going-a-souling,” or praying for a deceased family member in exchange for food, “trick-or-treating” became a way for American communities to come together and enjoy the holiday’s festivities. “The commonality of Samhain and the two Christian holy days is a stark contrast to how Halloween is observed in American culture today,” O’Connor said. “Elements of both pagan and Christian observances still exist, but Halloween as a spiritual and harvest holiday has limited influence.”

Historically, people put bowls of food outside their homes for roaming ghosts as a means of protection. Now,bowls of candy are left out to simplify the task of trick-or-treating. Costumes, now used for a night of false identity, were once a way to trick returning spirits into believing the people were fellow spirits and so they would remain unharmed.

“Superheroes, monsters, or even something so ordinarily grand as a doctor can be seen on our streets in the form of droves of children chasing dreams of a sack full of candy. Adults also revel in the chance to be someone else on Halloween and let their inhibitions go,” O’Connor said.
Today, Halloween offers people of all ages a night of projected imagination and creativity. Donella Askew, former actor for Heaven Hill’s Haunted Hayride in Vernon said, “I feel we still celebrate Halloween because it gives children and adults a reason to dress up and get candy.” According to History.com, one quarter of all annual candy sales are attributed to the Halloween holiday; a sweet turnout for its bitter history.

By Olivia Fisher

What is one thing friendships and relationships have in common? Relationships are with your significant other and you can bond and create so many memories together. Friendships allow you hang out with them and be by each other’s side for advice.

Being in a relationship is the love for someone and a friendship is to be their friend.

Friendships and relationships have things in common, for instance, companionship. Relationships and friendships can lead to arguments. Afterwards,  we forgive each other and continue being friends and lovers. Other examples of commonalities are respect and trust. It’s important to be respected by the one you love and your friends and to be trusted by each other.

Friendships and relationships should be honest with each other about things. Being honest to your friends and your significant other is important in a healthy friendship and relationship. Having friends over or your loved one hanging out allows you to create memories you want to remember. Being together is important in a successful friendship or relationship. Friendships and relationships are important in life that’s why having friends and a significant other in your life is valuable.