University of South Carolina Libraries
HThc (Bamccock Andy’s Deli: Good food and friends by Mackenzie Clements The Gamecock The only ingredient Andy Shlon will reveal about Andy’s special sauce is that it’s got “the magic touch”. In fact, it’s that same “magic touch” that has kept Andy’s Deli suc cessful for more than 20 years. The menu at Andy’s Deli has stayed the same since Shlon opened it in Five Points in 1978, and so has his friendly, inviting welcome to customers—’’Hello, my dear” to women or “my friend” to men. “I really like Andy. I really like the sandwiches too, but Andy is just so friendly,” said advertising junior Lindsey Bonds, a USC student who has been going to Andy’s Deli since she was a child. “He remembers people, and his deli is just such a Co lumbia and Carolina thing,” Bonds said. As native as Andy’s Deli seems to Columbia, Shlon is originally front Beirut, Lebanon. Surprisingly, it was his high school friends who brought him to the United States. They .were Lebanese students who were attending USC at the time. As a young adult, Shlon worked for an airline, and his experience in traveling sent him to Gamecock Country. “On one of my traveling adventures, I came to the Unit ed States to visit [my friends],” said Andy. “When I came to visit them, I decided to continue ed ucation.” In 1967, Andy moved to Columbia and began working part-time in a Five Points deli. Two years later, he moved to Florida, finished his four-year degree at Ft. Lauderdale University, and worked at a Winn Dixie. In 1978, he opened Andy’s Deli. Shlon attributed his success to seeing opportunity and seizing it. “You have to stick with it and keep working at it to succeed,” Shlon said. Since 1978, a wide variety of people have visited Andy’s Deli, as evidenced by the thank you letters and pictures of customers covering the deli’s walls. “Some people, if they are on this side of the country, they sometimes get off the highway just to come in and get an Andy’s Deli sandwich,” said Shlon. “I have seen a lot of students going in and out, and now I see their children and some of their grandchildren,” said Shlon. According to Shlon, sororities used to meet for one night of Rush at his deli and cheerleaders would also gath er there after summer vacations. However, on a typical day, the deli’s clientele includes business people, high school students, and homemakers in addition to USC students. “Andy’s a nice guy, and we’re friends with his son Adam,” said Katy Brennan, a Dreher High School junior who fre quents the deli. “Andy’s Deli has good food,” said Brennan. “It’s an ac tual meal and not a McDonald’s.” Both Sens. Strom Thurmond and Fritz Hollings have eat en at Andy’s Deli. Both have ordered the “Andy’s Special”, the popular sandwich with roast beef, bacon and Swiss cheese. Shlon said the sandwich is popular because “we do it from the heart.” Famous customers include Sidney Poitier, who bought a pack of gum, and Robert Wightman, the actor who played John Boy on the Waltons. “It’s always interesting,” said Shlon. Since moving to the United States, Shlon has only visit ed Beirut once—to take his wife. Fittingly, his wife is a USC graduate who taught school before returning to get her master’s degree. He enjoys the excitement of USC undergrads. “It cre ates a lot of energy.” “With eneigy, you can accomplish a lot of things,” said Shlon. Andy’s Deli, at 2005 Greene Street, is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com. Everything you ever wanted to know about sterling silver by Heather Hardison The Gamecock Have you checked lately to see if the silver you are wear ing is real? If sq, you may want to check again. Sterling silver has always been a fashionable type of jew elry. However, the demand for silver has grown in the last few years. Bracelets, rings, necklaces and even toe rings made of sterling silver adorn human bodies. The name “sterling” was derived from the word Easter lings, meaning high quality silver. Easterlings, an English word, was used during the 1200s to distinguish sterling silver coins from low-silver coins. Although sterling silver has been described as ltigh quali ty in the past, today, that is questionable. Jewelry owners every where want to know a way to tell sterling silver from the false stuff. Sterling silver has been made from a silver, nickel, and copper mix since the 1300s. The copper makes the silver a harder and more durable. The alloy of copper and silver makes the actual sterling silver, wliich consists of 925 parts fine sil ver and 75 parts copper per thousand parts. According to thesilvercastle.com, the stamp of 925 came about in the 1300s. King Edward I ordered that sterling sil ver be marked 925 to ensure quality. The imprint of 925 on the inside of rings and on the back of necklaces is one way to tell, but it too is debatable. “Just because it is marked with 925 doesn’t mean it’s in its purest form. To acquire 925, the silver must be at least 96% pure. There is some silver that has a higher percentage,” says Candice Smith, sales representative of Tiffany’s and Co. in Boston, Massachusetts. Shining and maintaining the silver is a lot easier because of the copper and nickel mix. However, some companies still sell it in its purest form. The higher the percentage of silver, the more maintenance it requires. ‘Tiffany’s uses the purest fomi of silver. The sterling sil ver we sell is 99.6% pure. Therefore, our silver is very soft and requires a great deal of polishing. The only downfall is that the softness allows the silver to scratch easier,” Smith said. According to Latonya Lovett, employee at Afterthoughts in Columbia Mall, customers purchase sterling silver as well as stainless steel and suigical steel. “I think customers try to buy sterling silver first because it lasts longer. Some do buy stainless steel and suigical steel but not as many,” said Lovett. Lovett also said she feels that some customers are con fused by the different types of silver. “Some people think just because it says steel that it is really that durable, or be cause it says suigical that people would really use it to per form suigery, but they don’t,” said Lovett. Students at USC have mixed thoughts about silver. Some don’t care whether the silver they buy is real or not. Advertising major Wes Haibin said, “I don’t care if it’s ster ling silver or not, as long as it resembles silver.” However, some students feel completely the opposite. These students are concerned with the fact that their silver might not be geniune. “I want my jewelry to be sterling silver. I always check and ask to make sure it is real. Sterling silver is more durable and holds up a lot longer. The other stuff just turns my fin gers and ears green,” English major Melissa Hicklin said. Students also agree that price is a factor when selecting silver. “For the typical college student, gold is not an option. Of course, I buy silver because I like it, but the fact that it is inexpensive helps too,” Harbin said. At Afterthoughts in Columbia Mall, sterling silver starts off at $10.99, while stainless steel and suigical steel start off at $4.99. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotniaiLcom. "I want my jewelry to be sterling silver. I always check ana ask to make sure it is real. Sterling silver is more durable and holds up a lot longer. The other stuff just turns my fingers and ears green," Melissa Hicklin, English junior i h nrr Tii rjjr^ j rfiT1CTHv iFT3 11 Amt Goulding The Gamecock Andy Shlon of Andy’s Deli has been serving up sandwichs for Columbia Residents for 20 years. Body Rites from page 8 “We’v got no set agenda - we’re just going to go up there and se what happens,” Emery said. The woman swung back an forth in the swing in a similar fashion to that of a playgroun swingset. Scott Brewer was peaceful but nervous as he awaited hi fifth body suspension. However he viewed it with surpris ing optimism. “Nervousness is next to godliness,” Brewer quipped, fir ishing a light dinner at Andy’s Deli. He described the fin time as “very spiritual... very violent.” Brewer said to the audience, “What we’ve seen befor is fainting, puking and people hitting the floor cold.” * Making a dramatic entrance, Brewer took center stage as Emery hooked him to the lift. Slowly pulling the bar up, Brewer ran forward and jumped off the stage and into the air. Hanging by six hooks, Brewer soared over the audience for eight and a half minutes. During this part of the show, the audience was most af 3 fected. Several members stepped outside of the Elboto Room. “It was awesome, but I wish I had a stronger stomach ^ so I didn’t have to go outside,” USC sophomore Melanie 1 Foshee said. USC sophomore Jack Besignano said, “Etching a man s suspended by hooks is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.” Following the performances, Scott Brewer thanked every one for supporting the show and Body Rites, whose door bears the words which reflect the rite of passage done with 1 each piercing: “Welcome to the Tribe.” The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com. . ......... # • : Making a difference has always been a matter : of applying yourself. Here’s where to apply. • J Discover thousands of exciting overseas jobs when a • • Peace Corps recruiter visits your campus: * • • l University of South Carolina • • l*>-- I Peace Corps Information Tables # Gambrell Hall, Room 428 • September 6,9 am - 2 pm • USC Career Fair • September 7,11 am - 3 pm • Information Seminars * Gambrell Hall, Room 428 • ■September 6, 12:00 pm - 1:30 • Career Center, Room 601 * September 7, 6 pm - 7 pm # • • How Far Are You Willing to Go to Make a Difference? * (800) 424-8580 • www.peacecorps.gov It's tough work to become a leader in the corporate world It's even tougher to be a leader in our company It takes strength, wisdom and determination These aren't easy characteristics to develop But if you're willing to try, then Officer Candidates School tOCS) mg • is your chance to perfect these skills and become an Officer of Marines See jjgiUMlI&S if you've got what it takes to carry the title United Slate's M,trine Officer n,ir, n*/wtrkrManm%. If you would like a shot at a guaranteed flight training seat or to find out if you qualify for financial assistance, contact Capt. Brian Mateja at 256-9015. The Marine Corps is only looking for the 1 best. Find out if you have what it takes to weor the title “Officer of Marines.”