Summer Life at Carleton!

Dearest Gentle Reader,

The summer season in Northfield is officially upon us. We shall discover exactly which young scholars might succeed at securing the most coveted summer experiences and which of them shall fail miserably. It has come to this author’s attention that Carleton College has seen fit to bestow quite the upgrade upon its summer residents.

Let us begin with the most scandalous of housing reveals. Myers dorm has been entirely abandoned by summer students this year. The utter lack of proper air conditioning was simply too much to bear for the delicate sensibilities of our student body. Instead, every student has been relocated to the splendid townhouses on Division Street. These new lodgings boast actual air conditioning. The Dean of Students Office has proven itself to be the absolute diamond of the season in not just the Queen’s but also the students’ eyes by securing cooking kits and groceries for the townhouse residents. It even bestowed first choice transportation vouchers upon the students.

The Office of International Student Life, run by the most honorable Lady Elizabeth Cody, has been thoroughly entertaining the masses. They hosted a delightful gathering featuring soccer and pizza in honor of the World Cup. Furthermore, our friends at the Office of Health Promotion sponsored a rather savory Tokyo Grill event at the Office of International Student Life.

For those seeking sustenance without the burden of cooking, Chapel led food programs are the absolute talk of the town. Community Meals are served from 6 to 7 in the evening at the Multicultural Center every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until August 31. If you possess culinary talents beyond the usual ramen-cooking skills possessed by most members of the ton, you might reach out to Theo Borowski at tborowski@carleton to assist with cooking or hosting. Alternatively, the Grab and Go Food Source provides nonperishable items like rice and pasta in the Chapel lounge basement. You may visit on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 pm in the evening or Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm in the afternoon until August 29. Do take note that the Saturday operations on June 21 and June 28 have been moved to Sunday so this author shall not be blamed for misguiding her readers.

Beyond the college grounds, Northfield itself offers a perfect blend of small town charm and cultural experiences along the scenic Cannon River. Your weekends should unquestionably begin at the Riverwalk Market Fair. It is an outdoor market held every Saturday from 9 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon, featuring local artisans and fresh produce.

If you are seeking a bargain, you absolutely must attend Crazy Days in downtown Northfield on July 23. This author also highly anticipates the Vintage Band Festival bringing brass bands from around the world to Bridge Square Park and Central Park from July 30 to August 2. For the outdoor enthusiasts among us the Mill Towns State Trail offers exceptionally scenic routes for walking and biking.

One simply cannot survive a social season without proper dining. The Hideaway Coffeehouse provides a cozy atmosphere for breakfast. For a more gourmet evening experience, Reunion in downtown Northfield is the place to see and be seen. To quench your thirst, Tin Tea offers a robust menu of milk and and fruit-based boba teas and “caffeine boosters” when you need that extra kick of energy!

Perhaps this author will share more secrets as the summer progresses. Though you must know dear reader that decision shall be left entirely up to me.

Yours Truly,

Lady Whistledown

(Definitely not Muhammad Abdullah)

Meet Muhammad Abdullah (he/him), a rising sophomore from Islamabad, Pakistan, who is successfully bridging the gap between Studio Art and Mathematics. If you wander into Boliou Hall, you’ll likely find him crafting giant, life-sized 3D sculptures or just daydreaming about what everyday objects look like in higher dimensions.
Outside of academics, Abdullah stays busy. He’s a campus RA who loves meeting new people, a dancer with various dance groups, and an avid baker currently trying to eat his way through every single restaurant in Northfield.
Abdullah is also Carleton’s unofficial trivia captain; if you ever want to know the coolest secret facts about campus, he’s exactly who you should ask.