by Tara Beverly

Tonight’s the night to show the world why you should’ve been chosen to play Hamlet in high school, do a fancy dance or sing a lively tune. Maybe you’re halfway through your first year of medical school or in the last stretch before two years of clinical education. Now’s the time to let down your hair, and you don’t have to be a student to join in the fun. Each year faulty, staff and students set down their stethoscopes and lab manuals and present the best little variety show this side of the Hocking. That’s right, it’s time for Talent Follies 2005, which will take place at 7 p.m. in 194 Irvine Hall.

Talent Follies, in addition to providing a well-deserved break for all OU-COMers, is a worthwhile charitable event. All proceeds benefit the Zimmerman Osteopathic Dream Foundation. The foundation gives critically ill children and their families a free trip to Disney World.

The show is great fun. When the curtain rises, OU-COMers will display a variety of talents you probably couldn’t have imagined they had — from serious instrumentalists to cornball slapstick performers. So why don’t you come and be surprised by how very gifted — in non-medical ways — your fellow students and staffers are.

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The Family Practice Club/Student Association of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) will hold its annual banquet at the Ohio University Inn Saturday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. Roderick McDavis, Ph.D., president of Ohio University, will give the keynote address.

“The banquet is a chance for students, faculty and staff to enjoy an entertaining evening in a relaxed atmosphere. This has become one of the most loved and popular events of the year,” says Alison Dawson, second-year student and banquet co-chairwoman. Amanda Yant, second-year student, is the event's other co-chairwoman.

It is anticipated that this year more than 100 will attend. After the dinner and the keynote address, everyone is invited to stay for dancing. The event is made possible by the generous support of both the state and national ACOFP and the Family Practice Club.

“The music will be provided by one of OU-COM’s finest, John Sillery, a fourth-year student,” says Dawson.

Amanda McConnell, second-year student, is very excited about the event.

“It will be a really good time. People get to dress up, listen to a wonderful speaker and dance the night away. It’s a good way to take your mind off medical school for the night,” says McConnell.