Homecoming 2010

Ed Gmyrek BA ’65, and his wife Gayle have grown accustomed to stares as they drive down the streets of their Florida neighborhood. After all, folks don’t see too many polar bears in the sunshine state.

For the past nine years the Gmyreks have zipped around The Villages, Florida, the 75,000-person retirement community they call home, in an orange and black ONU-themed golf cart, complete with a giant polar bear decal on the front.

“People see that polar bear and they give a strange look,” said Ed Gmyrek. “When we first got it, we were getting questions every day. People wanted to know what the polar bear was for, so I’d tell them all about ONU.”

Homecoming weekend is finally upon us and as the campus buzzes with returning alumni, I face the task of planning my weekend activities. Of course, the football game is at the top of the list, as is mingling with sisters who have returned to campus. And there is no way I'm missing the Balloon Glow or the fireworks on the Tundra Saturday night. But what about getting up early to watch the parade floats roll down Main Street?

Most people probably don't realize the preparation and hard work goes into creating a parade float. I know I didn't. But this year, I was able to experience this first hand with my Kappa Alpha Theta sisters as we created our float for the ONU Homecoming parade.