Minutes of the DLS: April 29, 1999

"Hall of Dreams"

It was a day like any other early fall semester day at the University -- sticky, sweaty Demosthenians scurried to and fro across campus, stopping into the hall for a respite from the heat and some intelligent conversation -- like whether this year's season finally of Buffy was better than last year's. Alone in the upper chamber, relishing the view from the President's chair, and even more so its comfy cushion, Slone was startled by a voice... "If you hold it, they will come"

Suddenly feeling uneasy, he called down "Did anyone down there say something to me?" Callahan, who was busy singling along to his Bryan Adams CD, stopped to shout back in the negative. Puzzled, Slone picked up the gavel to go put it away when the voice spoke again.. "If you hold it, they will come"

Looking around first to make sure that he really was alone, he squeaked out, "Hold what? Who will come?" But all he heard was the echo of his voice. Already feeling silly and superstitious, he stepped down to walk to the back hall, when he glanced up and saw... no, he thought, he couldn't have seen that, but it happened again -- the portrait of Robert Toombs winked at him. More than a little spooked, he made his way to the lower chamber.

"Are you okay Slone?" asked Moultrie, "You look a little shook up."

"Well," he answered, "something... something just happened. I just heard a voice"

"You heard what?!"

"A voice, I heard a voice speak to me in the upper chamber."

"What a way to start the year, our fearless leader is having a hearing voices, " piped up Cohoon. By this time, several other Demosthenians had popped into the hall and gathered around, listening to the story unfold and looking at Jeff with a mix of skepticism and curiosity.

"Well, okay, what did the voice say?" Moultrie asked.

"It said, 'If you hold it, they will come.'"

The meeting was called to order at 7:35. In attendance were two first time guests from the office of Rep. John Linder. Alumni Mr. Van Meter and Mr. Lowe were also present. Mr. Cohoon was appointed critic. The society moved into programs, beginning the bittersweet evening of farewells.

Miss Davis began by donating several books to the society from her time at the University. Overwhelmed by emotion, Miss Davis told the society that after a year as a transfer student, Demosthenian had finally given her a home and a family to replace those she had left behind. She expressed regret that she had not joined earlier, and envy for the younger members who still have so much time ahead of them in the society. Departing gifts included a condom tossed to Mr. Higgs, a garter which Mr. Goodhew removed from her leg, and a key for Miss Benewitz.

Mr. Wells noted that it was his second occasion to give a farewell, and reflected on the growth and change he had witnessed at the University during his several years in Athens. Though through the growth, he experienced the same sense of people finding connection with the university and with each other as they grew together. He then gave his key to Miss McKinney. Reminding everyone not to judge a book by its cover in the people met in life, he thanked the society for making him a more attractive person both inside and out.

Mr. Crawford told the society about his anxiety in leaving friends and for the responsibility of saying goodbye and closing the door. This painful process had been repeated several times in his life, including the move from high school to college, returning to the United States from France, and now leaving the Society. Mr. Crawford then donated a large box full of books, covering topics from practically every phase of his life, a variety of materials summing himself up. He also provided the society with an abundant supply of suave headshots, gave keys to Mr. Cohoon, Miss Moultrie, and gave the key he had received from Mr. Pyrdum... back to Mr. Pyrdum.

Mr. Head also regretted joining the society so late in college life. He thought that Demosthenian provided the feel of a small college setting and what a traditional liberal arts education is supposed to be, particularly in the sense of fraternity he felt here. He then donated a few sentimentally valued and well worn books to the society. He also gave back the key he had received from Mr. Pyrdum, gave keys to Miss Moultrie, Mr. Higgs, Miss Benewitz, and the socialist key to Mr. Callahan. Finally, Mr. Head urged all the remaining members to fall in love with the society and everything about it.

To Mr. Smiley, the society was more than a way to overcome shyness or the place where he had made his best friends and memories, it was truly home. Mr. Smiley also donated several books to the society and gave away several keys. The "best legs" key went to Miss Johnson, the "strong woman" key to Miss Moultrie, the "Jack Daniels" key to Mr. Rivner, Mr. Higgs received a key, and Miss Wood received the "Taebo" key. He said that one of his best memories was stopping by the hall at least once a day for some great conversation; he told those remaining in the society not to take the experience of Demosthenian for granted.

Mr. Stevenson described how he was first dragged to a Demosthenian meeting and then simply fell in love with the Society. Citing a great need for more science in the society library, he donated a large number of his books. He was also kind enough to finally give the society a hard copy of the minutes he once took as secretary. He gave a key to Miss Kravig, Mr. Higgs, Miss Frawley, the "hardcore" key to Miss Wood, and bicycle keys to Mr. Slone and Miss Frawley. Mr. Stevenson said though he was now off to Scotland, he would be in Maine every summer of his life, and asked everyone to visit him at:

The clock cottage

Cedar Lane -- Juniper Point

West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575

(207)633-6830

Mr. Guy stated that, while through with Demosthenian and the College Republicans, he did not need to worry about real life yet, he was only off to graduate school. He donated a book and admonished Mr. Head for falling from Limbaugh grace. He wished all in the society the best, and that their paths might cross again one day. He gave a key to Mr. Cohoon, one to Mr. Crouse, and the partisanship key to Mr. Rivner.

Mr. Bowman discussed how our realizations of personal growth and change are seen in the reflections of those we come into contact with. He said that Demosthenian has been so integral to the shaping of his adult identity that he could not even see it. His regret was not ever being able to give enough back to the society that had given him so much. Members receive so many gifts from the society during their time here that its fitting for those graduating to give gifts. Mr. Bowman gave the Weaver key to Mr. Callahan, a key to Miss McKinney, the "pain" key to Mr. Higgs, and another "strong woman" key to Miss Wilson. He wished there had been more time to get to know people, and thanked those who had reached out and made him feel welcome as a freshman. He also gave keys to Mr. Cohoon, to Mr. Goodhew, and to Mr. Morgan.

Mr. Shumaker donated several books to the society, hoping they might help others in the society to understand him. In giv8ing out keys, he said the spirit of those who had given them before stayed with them. He gave a key to Miss Benewitz, to Mr. Crouse, the "hot lips" key to Miss Johnson, a key to Mr. Slone, to Mr. Goodhew, the "move with confidence" key to Mr. Cohoon, a key to Mr. Rivner, and one to Mr. Higgs. Mr. Shumaker said that trying to do what was best for everyone in the society is what had made it feel like a home. His greatest honor was in bringing so many new voices to the society, which had brought him through the most difficult time in his life. He told the society that "Demosthenian is never yours, we are all one in a line of people in the cult of Toombs." He remembered past friends and alumni, stating that their presence remained in the hall.

The society moved from programs into committee reports. Mr. Higgs rose for as Treasurer and his report was accepted. Mr. Morgan rose on behalf of the Hall Preservation committee. The society then moved into old, then new, business, and adjourned at 11:02 p.m., subject to Mr. Cohoon's critic's report.

"There's something else -- the Toombs portrait winked at me, I know that's impossible but it did," Slone finished.

"I told you!" exclaimed Kravig, "I told you he changes expression – El Presidente, it must have been the voice of Robert Toombs. 'If you hold it, they will come' But what does he mean? Hold what, who will come?"

"Its like I've tried to tell you all along people -- we need to hold a Demosthenian naked night, and lovely young ladies will come"

"Whatever Callahan, I think he meant the society needs to hold a feminist block party, so lots of strong women will come," retorted Mikel, as McKinney and Yarber nodded their agreement behind her.

Slone tried speak up, "Actually guys, I think I know..."

"No, no, no, we need to hold a society night at Boneshakers, so everyone in the society can get their groove on," added Kravig, already beginning to gesticulate wildly to some unheard beat.

"What if we hold high tea? Some proper tea and crumpets... then all the other Brits on campus will come," Goodhew offered.

"Hello?" Slone finally yelled, "I think I know. We need to hold... a gathering of some sort... we, everyone in the society, needs to be here at the hall, in the upper chamber, tomorrow night, just before midnight. Don't ask me how I know, but that's what the voice meant." Seeing the skeptical looks surrounding him, he said, "No really, that's what he meant."

It was Moultrie who convinced them. "Even if Jeff is crazy, why can't we all do something crazy for once? for the society, for the cult of Toombs? We'll be here."

Respectfully submitted,

Kelly Frawley