By Ethan Shea

Photo by Fatih Kopcal from pexels.com

After 70 recurring blogs and two years at Falvey, this will be my final “Cat in the Stax.”

This particular blog is special for a number of reasons, but the creative freedom that comes with being the Cat in the Stax has been the most valuable for me. When I first took on the role, I wondered how I could possibly come up with a new topic every week, but after two years of writing, I feel like I have just begun.

My creative process for this blog has remained relatively simple. I pinpoint whichever niche topic currently piques my interest, and I write about it. Whether it’s outer space or reality television, with the Library’s endless resources, Falvey is always relevant to the conversation.

Photo from Falvey’s doughnut-filled stress buster

Despite my passion for the “Cat in the Stax,” my time at Falvey cannot be defined by a single blog. Rather, one of my favorite parts about working in the Library is the excitement in-person events never fail to bring.

Whether it’s a lecture by a world-renowned academic, or a stress buster involving hundreds of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, you never know what you may encounter when you enter Falvey. My favorite recurring event involves the Pals for Life therapy animals who always brighten up my day. You can check out photos from their most recent visit to Falvey in last week’s Foto Friday blog.

In addition to the “Cat in the Stax,” with the help of fellow Graduate Assistant Annie Stockmal and undergraduate student worker Anna Jankowski, I’ve also taken great pleasure in perfecting Falvey’s new “In Case You Missed It” (ICYMI) YouTube series and rejuvenating the classic “Curious Cat” blog with video content.

My time as Falvey’s Cat in the Stax has also taught me a lot about theatre. Thanks to Villanova Theatre’s magnificent productions and generosity toward Falvey’s Graduate Assistants, I’ve been able to both attend and write about several shows performed in Villanova’s very own John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts.

This may be my final “Cat in the Stax,” but it is certainly not the last Falvey will see of me. Without a doubt, I will be back to reminisce on the past and take in the big changes to come for the Library and our campus community.

Thank you to everyone who has read these blogs over the years, and a special thanks to everyone on the Communications and Marketing Team for all your support!

I’ve always said I’m a dog person … but now I’ll always be a cat at heart.

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

By Anna Jankowski, Ethan Shea, and Annie Stockmal

Happy Thursday, Wildcats! It’s finals season, so for this semester’s final installment of the Curious Cat, we asked some Falvey patrons to tell us their favorite study snacks. Which foods keep you energized and ready for the next exam? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to watch the accompanying Reel on Instagram!

“Microwave popcorn, always.”

— Bronwyn Mogck ’23

“Iced Coffee.”

— Christina Aron ’23

“The Rice Krispies Treat marshmallow from Holy Grounds over there.”

— Cameron Hall ’23

“A bowl of popcorn with chocolate chips.”

— Hannah Rice ’23

“A corn muffin from Holy Grounds.”

— Keely Likosky ’23

“It has to be the cinnamon buns from ‘Sparket’.”

— Kai Coster ’26

“I would have to say it’s bacon. Going back to the apartment after a long day of studying, making some quick bacon, and then going back to study some more is obviously my favorite thing to do.”

— George Russon ’24

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Senior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

Annie Stockmal is a graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library. 

By Ethan Shea

Photo from pexels.com by Dominika Roseclay

The saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” but it’s May and things are still looking pretty damp. Regardless of the weather, this month is sure to bring lots of natural floral decor.

Our campus is looking green, and flowers have already bloomed, but with the help of Falvey, you can enjoy May’s flowers from the comfort of your home.

Flowers have inspired all sorts of literature, prose and poetry alike, for millennia. They’re usually symbolic of broader themes of texts, such as new life, purity, passion, beauty, and love.

Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway begins with the line: “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.” Here, flowers can be read as traditional symbols of femininity, but they also represent the beauty that can be found in everyday life. Because this entire novel takes place over the course of just one day, finding beauty in the little things is critical to the story.

Lotus Flower photo from pexels.com by Guryan

In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, floral imagery is found throughout the play. One passage reads: “I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, / Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, / Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, / With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.” The magic in this play repeatedly appears alongside the budding natural world.

Some poetic works worth checking out that concern flowers are “The Breath of a Rose” by Langston Hughes, “Roses Only” from Marianne Moore’s poetry book Observations, and Charles Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du Mal, which translates to The Flowers of Evil.

Lastly, Homer’s epic Odyssey has a section based on flowers. Book Nine describes Odysseus and his crew landing on the island of the Lotus Eaters, who live lackadaisically eating the fruit of lotus flowers. Those who eat the lotus crave nothing more than to relax on the island, delaying their return home. A homeric parallel to this section of the Odyssey can be found in episode five of James Joyce’s Ulysses as well.

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

By Ethan Shea

Photo credit: New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection (Library of Congress).

In celebration of National Poetry Month, this recurring Poet Profiles segment will introduce you to some of the best poetry Falvey has to offer.

This week will focus on the poems of Elizabeth Bishop, a writer with connections to our local community. Born in Massachusetts in 1911, Bishop was orphaned at a very young age and lived with grandparents in Nova Scotia before returning to New England a few years later.

Travel was characteristic of Bishop’s life. In fact, one of her trips was funded by a traveling fellowship from neighboring Bryn Mawr College, which allowed her to visit South America.

One of Bishop’s greatest influences was poet Marianne Moore, an established American modernist who Bishop became interested in during her time at Vassar College. Both poets are known for their critical attention to detail and witty descriptions of lived experience.

Some notable awards and honors Bishop received throughout her life include the 1956 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, 1970 National Book Award for Poetry, and two Guggenheim Fellowships in 1947 and 1978.

Later in life, Bishop lectured at several prominent American universities including the University of Washington, Harvard University, New York University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

After her death at the age of 68, Bishop was buried in the historic Hope Cemetery of Worcester, Massachusetts. Her requested epitaph quotes the last two lines of her poem “The Bight”: “All the untidy activity continues, / awful but cheerful.”

Listed below are some resources related to Elizabeth Bishop you can find here at Falvey:

• The Complete Poems, 1927 – 1979 – Elizabeth Bishop
• Exchanging Hats: Paintings – Elizabeth Bishop
• Prose – Elizabeth Bishop
• Elizabeth Bishop and the New Yorker: The Complete Correspondence – Edited by Joelle Biele
• Elizabeth Bishop: The Biography of a Poetry – Lorrie Goldensohn
• Elizabeth Bishop: The Restraints of Language – Carole Kiler Doreski

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

By Anna Jankowski, Ethan Shea, and Annie Stockmal

Happy Thursday, Wildcats! This installment of the Curious Cat is especially important because it’s National Library Week! To celebrate the occasion, we asked some Falvey patrons why they love the Library. Keep reading to see the responses we received, and be sure to watch the accompanying Reel on Instagram!

“I love old book stacks. I just love walking into random parts of the Library and sifting through old books that smell old. It’s really weird, but there’s so many little things you can find that are so interesting.”

— Satrant Bains ’25

“I’d say overall it’s just the atmosphere. I usually like to come and just sit and do some work.”

— Aliana Rojas ’25

“My favorite part of the Library is the Reading Room. I just really like how it’s always bright in there, and I work best in the quiet.”

— Maddie McClay ’23

“I like Holy Grounds because I feel like I need a little stimulation when I’m doing my work.”

— Ashley Mulhare ’23

“I like coming and people watching and doing work.”

— Christian Badalamenti ’24

“I’d say my favorite part is this room in particular [Falvey 205].”

— Mac Clark ’24

“My favorite part of the Library is the Reading Room with all of its windows. Sometimes I can watch the sunset there.”

— Julia Barclay ’25

“I agree with the Reading Room, and to elaborate on that, I like the peace and quiet.”

— Peter McSherey ’25

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Senior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

Annie Stockmal is a graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library. 

By Ethan Shea

Pop-Tarts! They’re everyone’s favorite breakfast treat.

Although they’re traditionally meant for mornings I personally believe it’s always time for a Pop-Tart.

After learning I share a birthday with Pop-Tarts, as the company was founded on Sept. 14, I couldn’t resist writing this week’s Cat in the Stax on the history of one of my favorite snacks.

The story of Pop-Tarts begins in 1963 when Kellogg thought of a treat that was going to be called “Fruit Scone.” Luckily, that name didn’t stick, and Pop-Tarts replaced the lackluster title before the product’s official launch in 1964. The name Pop-Tarts originated as a pun on the Pop-Art movement of the sixties.

The very first Pop-Tarts were released in Cleveland, Ohio with their four signature flavors: blueberry, strawberry, brown sugar cinnamon, and apple-currant. No one seemed to know what a currant was, so Pop-Tarts were quick to drop that name from their lineup.

Part of what made Pop-Tarts so successful were their advertisements. In the 1970s, Milton the Toaster became a beloved mascot for the brand. However, Milton’s time with Pop-Tarts did not last long.

Interestingly, the Frosted Pop-Tarts we know and love were not released until 1967, as frosting that could withstand the heat of a toaster was yet to be developed at the time of the treat’s initial release.

The Breakfast Book by Andrew Dalby

It may have taken 37 years, but the weaponization of this breakfast snack was inevitable. In 2001, the United States military dropped 2.4 million Pop-Tarts over Afghanistan during their attack on the country.

The U.S. government claims this choice was made to introduce civilians to American food, fight hunger, and make a case for America’s good intentions in the region. I don’t think Pop-Tarts cancel out bombs, but the political and military use of the product is nonetheless fascinating.

Although I think Pop-Tarts need not be limited to breakfast, the snack is prominently associated with the most important meal of the day. Here at Falvey, there are several texts with all sorts of information on breakfast that may change the way you look at your morning meals. Here are just a few:

• Breakfast: Nutrition, Consumption and Health Benefits
• The Breakfast Book
• The English Breakfast: The Biography of a National Meal, with Recipes
• The Art of Breakfast: How to Bring B & B Entertaining Home

Make sure you comment your favorite Pop-Tarts flavor down below … unless it’s not s’mores, which is the correct answer to that question.

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

By Anna Jankowski and Ethan Shea

Happy Thursday, Wildcats! To celebrate another successful Lit Fest, this week’s Curious Cat question is: “Who is your favorite literary character?” We received several creative and nostalgic answers, so make sure you read this blog AND view the accompanying Reel on Instagram. Also, let us know in the comments what our next question should be!

“The caterpillar from the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I think I’m someone that’s really using my time here at Villanova to ‘eat up’ some knowledge as well as some quality food.”

— Noah George ’25

“My favorite literary character is Harry Potter.”

— Zoe Garrett ’26

“I’m gonna say Uncle Wiggily from Uncle Wiggily’s Fairy Tales.”

— Sadie Nattress ’25

“I’m gonna say Percy Jackson from the Percy Jackson series.”

— Christopher Koch ’25

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Senior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

By Ethan Shea

Loch Ness Monster Image from BBC/Getty Images

You probably know Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster (as shown above), but what about some more local creatures?

Cryptozoology is a branch of pseudoscience that studies creatures who are not recognized by science and whose existence has not been proven. This could be because a creature has gone extinct or because it has never been proven to exist. These creatures are grouped under the overarching label of cryptids.

Just a few famous cryptids have taken the vast majority of the spotlight from the lesser known ones. That’s why for this week’s installment of Cat in the Stax, I’ll be calling attention to some of Pennsylvania’s hometown cryptids.

Squonk Image: “Fearsome Critters” by Henry Tryon

Squonk

No, the Squonk isn’t just the sound of your dog’s battered squeaky toy. This cryptid is said to live in the Pocono Mountains of northern Pennsylvania. It is a pig-like creature with wrinkly, wart-covered skin and tusks. The defining feature of the Squonk is its ability to dissolve into a pool of tears when it is threatened, making it impossible to capture.

Raystown Ray

The Raystown Ray is Pennsylvania’s own Loch Ness monster. Residing in Raystown Lake, Ray has appeared as a large, blurred figure swimming just below the surface of the lake. Luckily, this Ray is most likely a herbivore, as there is no evidence of attacks. Despite its name, the Raystown Ray is not exactly any sort of ray, it seems to be similar in build to the aforementioned Loch Ness monster, but no one knows what it looks like in great detail.

Montgomery County Monster/Bryn Athyn Beast

This cryptid is of the “dogman” category, which essentially means it seems to be a large, bipedal canine. This creature was not spotted in Pennsylvania until the 1990s, but reports of dogman creatures in the United States date back to the late-eighteenth century. As recently as late 2022, paranormal investigators traveled to the region to search for the allusive Bryn Athyn Beast.

Hellbender photo: ncwildlife.org and TR Russ

Eastern Hellbender

Okay, this animal is not actually a cryptid, but because of environmental threats, it could one day become one. Not to mention that because of its size, this animal certainly looks mythical. The Eastern Hellbender is both the Pennsylvania state amphibian and the largest amphibian in North America. These salamanders can grow up to 29 inches long and way more than five pounds. In some states, this creature is already extinct, and local populations have been declining for more than 40 years. Currently, land preservation and research on breeding Hellbenders in captivity are being carried out to protect these beautiful, slimy critters.

To learn more about cryptozoology, check out our collection here at Falvey!

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

By Anna Jankowski, Ethan Shea and Annie Stockmal

Happy Thursday, Wildcats! It’s a beautiful, sunny day here at Villanova, so this week’s installment of the Curious Cat is heading outdoors. To stay in the spirit of the spring season, we asked a few Falvey (or Falvey adjacent) patrons to name their favorite field day games! Are you a fan of three-legged races or do you prefer a classic game of kickball? Keep reading to see the answers we received, and check out our Reel on Instagram for an exclusive surprise interview!

“Playing ball with my dogs and throwing it with my friends.”

— Graydon Paul ’25

“A water slide, like with the tarp and the soap.”

— Natalie Dudas ’23

“Definitely kickball. Big kickball fan.”

— Emma Behrman ’26

“I like ships and sailors.”

— Sasha Shanker ’26

“I’m a big fan of knockout.”

— Heith Turner ’25

“I’m gonna go with freeze tag.”

— John Ernest Coppes ’25

“During a beautiful summer day, I love a good water balloon fight.”

— Tyler Kennedy ’25

“I’m gonna have to go with H-O-R-S-E.”

— Sean Stepanek ’25

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Senior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.

Annie Stockmal is a graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library. 

By Ethan Shea

Engraving of Frances E.W. Harper from The Underground Railroad by William Still. (Photo by Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

To celebrate National Poetry Month, this recurring Poet Profiles segment will draw attention to some of the amazing poetry available through Falvey.

This week, I’d like to introduce you to a poet of the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. In addition to being an accomplished poet, Harper is also a lecturer, author, women’s rights activist, and outspoken voice of the American anti-slavery movement.

Harper was born in Maryland, but by the age of 26, Harper left her state of origin to teach in Ohio and Pennsylvania. While away, Maryland passed a law prohibiting free African Americans from entering the state under threat of enslavement. As a Black woman, Harper could not return home. Moving forward, Harper dedicated her life to the abolitionist movement.

Harper is also the first African American woman to publish a short story in the United States. Additionally, by the age of 21, she had already written a volume of poetry titled Forest Leaves which was considered lost for more than 100 years but was eventually rediscovered.

As a member of the Women Christian Temperance Union, Harper was also an advocate for temperance, or abstaining from alcoholics drinks.

Frances E.W. Harper’s literature is intertwined with her activism and religious beliefs, making the experience of reading her work all the more rewarding from both a political and academic perspective.

Some of Harper’s most prominent pieces are her poem “Eliza Harris,” her 1866 speech “We Are All Bound Up Together,” and her short story “The Two Offers.”

Here are some resources where you can learn more about the life and work of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper:

• Complete Poems of Frances E.W. Harper
• lola Leroy, or Shadows Uplifted
• Sketches of Southern Life
• Discarded Legacy: Politics and Poetics in the Life of Frances E.W. Harper, 1825-1911
• Untold: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s Pursuit of Absolute Equality (Online Video)
• Frances Ellen Watkins Harper: African American Reform Rhetoric and the Rise of a Modern Nation State

If there are any poets you would like to see a poet profile about, please let us know in the comments!

Ethan Shea is a second-year graduate student in the English Department and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.