Purdue Best Bets

October 1, 1999 JOURNALISTS: Here are two story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next two weeks. Indiana has a sweet crop of apples The summer-long drought has caused Indiana apples to be smaller – and sweeter – than usual. Peter Hirst, assistant professor of horticulture, says the fruits may not look as good as you expect, but the flavor is better than ever. "Apple trees have deep roots and can continue to draw water even in dry conditions," he says, so the drought did not affect them as much as some other Indiana crops. But because the fruits contains less water to dilute the sugar, the apples taste sweeter. "Farmer's markets have apples of exceptionally good quality," Hirst says. "Consumers should look beyond the appearance, because they are going to love the taste." He adds that the most serious effects of the drought may surface next year for apple trees, which tend to show greater signs of stress in the year following adverse conditions. CONTACT: Peter Hirst, (765) 494-1323, hirst@purdue.edu Insectaganza puts science bug in school kids Purdue's entomology department and Professor Tom Turpin have put together "Science on Six Legs – An Insectaganza of Education," for fifth-grade students to promote education and nurture future scientists. Approximately 1,000 students from 15 schools will participate in activities such as the caterpillar canter, a quiz bowl and insect dissection. The events run simultaneously from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in Stewart Center, the Class of 50 Lecture Hall, Room 200 Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry and the Armory. CONTACT: Jenny Franklin, entomology department, (765) 494-9061; jenny_franklin@entm.purdue.edu Events • Wednesday, Oct. 6. Miriam Joyce, Purdue associate professor of history, will talk about "Jews, Israel and the Arab Gulf States in the 1960s" at the Jewish Studies Noon Lecture and Discussion Series at 12:30 p.m. in Room 218B, Stewart Center. CONTACTS: Sandor Goodhart, director of Jewish Studies, (765) 494-3720, goodhart@purdue.edu; or Alice Wenger, (765) 494-965, awenger@sla.purdue.edu • Friday, Oct. 8. "Frontiers in Science," a symposium for teachers and students in grades 6 through 12, runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. in Stewart Center. The program aims to provide the knowledge and excitement of cutting-edge science as researchers present talks on topics ranging from biology, chemistry and medicine to nanotechnology, physics and statistics. For example, Brian Holmes of San Jose University will build and then play a trumpet to demonstrate the acoustics underlying its structure. CONTACT: Diane Burnett, science outreach coordinator, (765) 494-7861, dburnett@purdue.edu • Friday, Oct. 8. John D. Buck, executive vice president for operations, information services and human resources, Fingerhut Cos. Inc., and president of Fingerhut Business Services, Minnetonka, Minn., will talk about "The e-Tooling of Fingerhut" at the Krannert Executive Forum at 11:30 a.m. in the Krannert Building Auditorium. Reporters are asked to refrain from asking questions, videotaping or taking photographs during the lecture, but all are allowed during the student question-and-answer sessions. CONTACT: Tamyra Gibson, director of public relations, School of Management, (765) 494-4392, gibson@mgmt.purdue.edu • Friday-Sunday, Oct. 15-17. Homecoming Weekend. Events for alumni include breakfasts and brunches, receptions and open houses, lunches and tailgate parties, all revolving around the football game against Big Ten rival Michigan State. Kickoff will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. A full list of events is on the World Wide Web. CONTACT: Nikki Horner, Purdue Alumni Association associate director, (765) 494-5175 • Saturday, Oct. 16. The new Black Cultural Center building at 1100 Third St. will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Purdue President Steven Beering will be joined by Mamon Powers Jr., university trustee, Renee Thomas, BCC director, and Vivica Fairbanks-Henderson, president of the Purdue Black Alumni Organization. Student guides will conduct tours highlighting the African-inspired architectural elements at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. CONTACT: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@hfs.purdue.edu • Saturday, Oct. 16. Civil engineering sculpture dedication. 10:15 a.m. A steel sculpture that doubles as a teaching tool will be unveiled on the south side of the Civil Engineering Building. The sculpture displays various types of steel connections needed in structures such as buildings and bridges. • Monday, Oct. 18. North Carolina filmmaker Macky Alston will discuss his award-winning film, "Family Name," after it is shown at 7 p.m. in Room 210, Matthews Hall. The film is about his search for links between black and white families named Alston. Journalists are invited to videotape the audience question-and-answer session with Alston, and reporters can arrange interviews with Alston either before or after the event. CONTACT: Jeanine Smith, Purdue News Service writer/publicist, (765) 496-3133; jeanine_smith@purdue.edu   To the Purdue News and Photos Page