Visit the Elizabethtown Coffee Company

Amy Smith

Guest Writer

Thursday December 06 2007

What’s new in Etown? The answer is the Elizabethtown Coffee Company. Hidden away at the Elizabethtown Library, one can find a cozy coffee shop. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the drink selection extensive. The shop offers all different kinds of coffees, teas, and specialty drinks. In fact, the library and coffee shop are one in the same. Patrons are welcome to buy a drink, take it into the library, and sip while browsing. It is not uncommon to find high school students studying over a latte or parents sipping tea while watching their children during story time.

This company is not only selling coffee but it is providing opportunities. The profits go directly back into the library which in turn goes towards the Elizabethtown community. One of the common sayings at the library is, “Educate, Empower, Enrich - together we build our community.” The library is taking a proactive stance on getting involved and the coffee shop is one of those ways.

Now the question is why should Elizabethtown students go to the public library? First off, it’s a great place to go, and is within walking distance when you feel like getting off campus. The staff is friendly and there are several perks: the Library provides information, resources, internet access, meeting space, newspapers and magazines, books, Wifi, downloadable audio books, print books, books on tape & CD, story times & other educational and entertaining programs, DVDs, beverages and treats.

A final appealing aspect of the library is that the drinks are offered at reasonable prices. Sophomore Kelly Castor said, “I was welcomed with friendly smiles and I was very impressed with the prices and quality.”

The baristas who work there are friendly and very knowledgeable about their products. There are numerous treats, two being coffee cake and baklava, which are savory and delicious.

So next time you are out, stop by the library and visit the Elizabethtown Coffee Company. By doing so you can enjoy a refreshing drink, visit the public library, and give back to the community.

This article was originally published in the Etownian on Thursday, December 6th, 2007.

EC SIFE is working in collaboration with the Elizabethtown Public Library to aid them with creating successful awareness of the new Elizabethtown Coffee Company and its benefits to the community.

Holiday budgeting simplified by SIFE

Whether deciding what old-time favorites to surprise your mom with this holiday season or designing the sweetest gift for your special someone, one factor will almost certainly come into play: money. It is important to remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch, or a free iPod, for that matter. Unless you are the child of a Fortune 500 executive, chances are that you are purchasing your holiday gifts on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are some techniques you can use to ensure that you get the right gifts for everyone at the right price.

A fundamental part of any budgeting challenge is setting priorities. You will want to allocate the most money to your most desired purchases, and then decrease the money you spend on items in diminishing order of importance. Tabulate each of your purchases in a spending diary, regardless of the amount spent.

Also, many people find themselves encountering dire debt woes when they place too many purchases they cannot afford on credit. Remember to limit your purchases to those which you can pay for immediately or can reasonably expect to pay in the near future.

The first step is identifying those for whom you wish to purchase gifts. Then, you need to determine how much you can afford to spend on these gifts. In addition to the gifts themselves, you should also budget some money for paraphernalia such as wrapping paper, cards and postage stamps.

For these items, purchasing in bulk may earn you a discount. When you finally venture out to find your gifts, remember to create a definitive list and avoid making unplanned “impulse purchases.”

Whether you will be celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or another holiday, it will nevertheless be crucial not to overextend your finances while purchasing gifts. Your loved ones may be priceless, but their gifts do not necessarily need to be pricey. With the ideal budget, you can find a way to keep everyone festive and joyous without the added blast to your wallet.

This article was originally published in the Etownian on Thursday, December 6th, 2007.