December 12, 2011
Columbus State employee was movie extra
Sandy Zeller
With the holiday season upon us, the now-classic A Christmas Story will be airing again on television. Viewing the film, about a boy in the 1940s who dreams of owning a BB gun, has become something of a tradition in many families. While A Christmas Story was considered a flop at the box office (taking in just over $12 million during a four-week run for its 1983 theatrical release), it became a big hit years later.
Sandy Zeller, a buyer for Columbus State’s bookstore, was fresh out of college in 1983 and was working as a buyer for Higbee’s Department Store in downtown Cleveland. Because several scenes of the movie would be shot in or around Higbee’s, store employees were recruited to appear briefly in the film. “I knew the HR manager who had been asked by the film company to hire some extras, so I signed up,” says Zeller.
Higbee’s is featured in the opening scene where Ralphie (played by actor Peter Billingsley) first spots the Red Ryder BB Gun. Next, the store appears as
a backdrop during the parade just before Ralphie goes to see Santa, and it shows up again when Ralphie and a friend visit Santa inside Higbee’s.
“I was in all three Higbee’s scenes playing various parts. I was a clerk behind the counter and I was also a customer shopping in the store. Outside, during the parade, I’m in the crowd. They were filming in January of 1983 and it was cold standing out there.”
Zeller says filming took about a week. The store remained open during the day for the public. “After they closed in the evening, the filming would begin. I worked all day as a buyer, then at night as a Hollywood movie extra. I made a few hundred dollars for the work. It was a lot of sitting around waiting for camera shots, but it was fun,” she says.
Zeller says it was somewhat “surreal” seeing herself on the silver screen when the movie was released later that year, but she has no regrets. She’s now connected to a classic Christmas film that has become a part of Americana.
The Bookstore plans a free showing of the film this week on Thursday night, December 15, starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be free popcorn and special pricing on beverages and snacks! So bring a few friends after work to sit back and enjoy this holiday classic.
SBDC named TechColumbus Innovation Award semifinalist
Michael Bowers
Michael Bowers, district director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State has been named as a TechColumbus Innovation Award semifinalist for Innovation in Non-Profit Service Delivery for the second consecutive year.
The Innovation in Non-Profit Service Delivery award honors a non-profit organization that has applied or implemented a technology or process change that has positively impacted the ability of the organization to provide constituent services.
Presented by TechColumbus, the annual Innovation Awards recognize outstanding achievements in technology leadership and innovation. From hundreds of nominations, 13 outstanding leaders and teams who exemplify the best in technology leadership and innovation in 2011 will be honored during the Innovation Awards ceremony on February 2, 2012.
Toys for Tots drive wrapping up
The annual Toys for Tots drive is now in the final stretch! Marines will pick up the boxes in offices around campus on Wednesday, Dec. 14. If you are still planning to make a donation, please do so by early Wednesday morning.
Once collected, the toys will be organized and turned over to the U.S. Marine Corps during a short ceremony on the Delaware Campus. Several Marines will be on hand for the event to be held on Thursday, December 15 at 1 p.m. in Moeller Hall. Employees are invited to attend.
If you have questions, contact Susan Thomas, Staff Advisory Council, sthoma10@cscc.edu on the Downtown Campus or John O’Keeffe jokeeff1@cscc.edu or Abu Farah afarah20@cscc.edu on the Delaware Campus.
TechColumbus Board elects Smith
TechColumbus announced that Dwight Smith, Founder and CEO of Sophisticated Systems Inc., has been elected Chair of the TechColumbus Board of Directors. Smith succeeds Dr. Steve Allen, CEO of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, whose term as Chair has expired. Smith was formerly Chair of the Columbus State Board of Trustees.
“Dwight Smith is an excellent choice to lead the Board as the Columbus region continues its development as a world-class tech economy,” said Dr. Allen. “Dwight is a highly respected business and community leader and technology entrepreneur and has championed the TechColumbus mission since its creation six years ago.”
As Chair, Smith will preside over the search for a new CEO which began following long-time CEO Ted Ford’s announcement in October that he will be leaving the organization effective December 31, 2011.
Wellness Seminar: “How to fall asleep, stay asleep, and improve your sleep”
Mount Carmel Workplace Health will offer a seminar on sleep wellness, Thursday, December 15, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in CT107. The seminar will also be live broadcast to the Delaware Campus in DA Room 129.
Did you know that insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, and that lack of sleep poses important implications for disease management and outcomes?
In this session you will receive tips on how to improve your sleep so that you will be better rested and ready to increase your productivity.
RSVP by contacting Nichole Bowman-Glover, wellness coordinator, ext. 3989, or email nbowmang@cscc.edu.
Leeman to exhibit in Georgia
Stacy Leeman, adjunct instructor in Humanities, will have her painting, “Yaakov Blesses Yehuda P#1” exhibited at the Valdosta National 2012 exhibit at Valdosta State University in Georgia, January 17 through February 3, 2012.
Lost glasses at Graduation? – If you lost a pair of black reading glasses at the Autumn Commencement Ceremony in Vets Memorial Friday, contact us at news@cscc.edu.