Tri-State Living • January/February 2026

January/February 2026

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from the editor PUBLISHER Joe Imel EDITORIAL Heath Harrison, Editor Mark Shaffer, Staff Writer Amanda Larch Hinchman, Contributor Dawn Nolan, Contributor briefs@irontontribune.com ADVERTISING Christie Coleman, Sales Consultant christie.coleman@irontontribune.com PRODUCTION Kandi Thompson, Design PHOTOGRAPHY Blair Burns, Contributor

January/February 2026

COSPLAY

fantasy.4 Proctorville woman has mastered art of fantasy

CREEK WALKERS Treasures from recycled glass

on the cover Rachel Mullen, of Proctorville has been perfecting cosplay for more than a decade.

Tri-State Living (ISSN 02795124) is published every other month by Ironton Publications, Inc., 211 Center St., Ironton, OH 45638.

Periodicals postage paid at Ironton, OH. Copyright 2026 Ironton Publications, Inc. Reprint of any part of contents without permission is forbidden. Titles registered in the U.S. Patent Office.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tri-State Living, P.O. Box 647, Ironton, OH 45638-0647.

Remembering a force in Tri-State journalism

T

his issue of Tri-State Living is dedicated to the memory of my friend, journalist Ed Rabel.

Rabel, who died Dec. 2 at age 86, was a St. Albans, West Virginia native and a force in journalism for decades.

A graduate of Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston), Rabel had his start on local airwaves here in the Tri-State, working in radio and as a reporter and news producer for WCHS in Charleston.

In his time in Charleston television, Rabel covered President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 visit to the Mountain State for its centennial celebration, as well as the local reaction, only months later, to the president’s assassination.

His work in reporting on poverty in Appalachia got him the attention of national news producers and, in 1966, he took a job with CBS News, where he worked for the reminder of his broadcast career, covering both national and international news, such as the war in Vietnam, the 1991 Gulf War and guerilla warfare in Central America.

He won multiple

Emmys, including one for a documentary he made exposing murders by U.S.backed death squads in Guatemala, which also earned him a Polk Award.

After retiring from CBS, Rabel returned to West Virginia and writing his memoirs, as well as columns and began provided ED RABEL online commentary on news items.

He also taught at many colleges, sharing his wealth of knowledge with upcoming journalists, including, most recently, a stint as an adjunct professor at Marshall University.

Rabel had a legendary career and never quit contributing to his profession and his community. He will be greatly missed.

HEATH HARRISON is the editor of The Ironton Tribune and Tri-State Living.

Providing compassionate for N AT I O N A L H O S P I C E A N D PA L L I AT I V E C care ARE MON T H – 40 N O V Eyears MBER 2018

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THE TRIBUNE

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Focus Head, heart, hands and health

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on Tuesday in the state’s to vote special election, :LOO 3D\ 7RS 'ROODU encountered they something not IRU -XQN 8QZDQWHG the area: long typical &DUV 7UXFNV 9DQV lines and a lengthy for to vote. )UHH 3LFN 8S wait

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Tribune received many calls on Tuesday morning Do you have available that they hadjobs? from voters, stating to wait an hour at the toFairland Call 740-442-6030 to vote let others know and Ironton about job opportunities places, polling while at your business. at the county’s South third, in Point, there were waits, though not quite as long.

SERVICES DIRECTORY Randy Lambert, of the Lawrence County Board of elections, reason for the said the delay was “simple.”

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WANTED TO BLawrence When UY County’s voters TRANSPORTATION went to the polls

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majority of voters 6PDOO %5 $SDUWPHQW : DF were in %XFNKRUQ 6WUHHW V favor of the 6HH HVWDWHVDOHV QHW WK VW Republican$OO XWLOLWLHV SDLG EG ED back proposal. .LWFKHQ LV IXUQLVKHG 2DN 6W $EVROXWHO\ QR SHWV A wide margin EG ED ANTIQUES & CofOLLECTIBLES 'XQ 'HSRVLW Ohioans defeated ODS 5HIHUHQFHV 5HTXLUHG 5G EG ED DF Issue One proposal, the $YDLODEOH -XQH 3HD with UO VW 57.01 percent PRQWK EG ED of voters cast

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EG ED DFUHV (YHQLQJ 0LGQLJKWV DemocraticAUTOMOBILES aggravated murder 72, leaning, metro 6 T. Pleasant, ,QTXLUH DW WK 6W areas voting The body of Harold “No.” &HQWHU 6W ,URQWRQ EG ED V was found on 0$57 6 $872 0$57 While Lawrence WK VW EG ED 86 : $VKODQG County, Oct. 26, 2022, which typically .< 6

WK 6W Fvotes ARM EQUIPMENT heavily underneath Republican +RPH SOXV '83/(; ZZZ PDUWVDXWRPDUW FRP , approved :D the prothe deck of posal, the margin %X\ +HUH 3D\ +HUH OGR 'U EG ED 7UL 6WDWH V 8VHG &DU 'HDOHU was slightly tighter than )DUPDOO &XE 7UDFWR his home on V W U )LQG 8V 2Q )DFHERRN those5HEXLOW HQJLQH K VW in partisan office races South Ninth KRPH Z DSWV UHVWRUHG ERG\ of the & in past few years.

Street KDU VWDUWV HDVLO\ QR VPRNH ORWWH 6W EG ED Ironton.

The rejection 3URFWRUYLOOH 2KLR 7Z TRUCKS, SUVS & VANS S 5G of Issue One EG ED DF vote sets up Officers &DOO a fall campaign 1 R QG will become that doing a wellHOUSES FOR RENT 6W EG ED SRRO FDU JDUDJH the nation’s )25 6$/( check referendum latest 'LVWH ness )RUG (FRQROLQH 9DQ UGLFN on the issue KACE PLEASANT 3DVVHQJHU 5DLVHG UR /DQH DFUHV the U.S. Supreme LAWN & Gsince of the home ARDEN RI %HGURRP +RXVHV + 'HOX[H ZKHHOFKDLU OLIW Court overKace DYHU turned saw PR SOXV GHSRV KLOO 2KLR )XUQDFH 5G )DUP a nationwide was PLOHV LW scene. He abortion right 1R VPRNLQJ 1R SHWV to Pleasant, 23, flee the )LUP DF %RZOHQV 5LGLQJ /DZQPRZ last year.

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D JRRG KRPH VT IW Ohio Speaker &DOO $IIRUGDEOH DQG 6HFXUH %UXEDNHU 'U of the House Jason 6RXWK 3RLQW 2+ FIRE DEPARTMENT EHGURRP EDWK 6RXWK 7KLUG 6WUHHW whose districtStephens, .LWFKHQ ZLWK 'LQLQJ DUHD REAL ESTATE ,URQWRQ 2+ Lawrence County,includes /LYLQJ 5RRP )DPLO\ URRP reacted

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Advertise here and sell year, it faster. &DOO voters contact requesting Call Classifieds at 740-442-6030.

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By HEATH HARRISON2903 South CO Fifth Street The Ironton Tribune UN P.O. Box 647 IrontonTribune.com LAWRENCE COUNTY T Ironton, OH 45638 OLUMBUS classifieds@irontontribune.com AND SURROUNDING AREAS — Voters 740-442-6030 across Ohio public.notices@irontontribune.com rejected a THE IRONTON TRIBUNEproposed consitituional amendmen THE CHESAPEAKE TRIBUNE on Tuesday, t which would THE PROCTORVILLE TRIBUNE have changed dards for future the stanHELP WANTED Eattempts STATE SALES of amending R EAL ESTATE APARTMENTS FOR RENT the state constitutio STORAGE FOR RENT n, though,

Life without C parole in Pleasant murder

AUGUST 12-13,

ELEC TION ‘23

THE TRIBUNE

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Wizardfest set for Nov. 11-12

BEST DAILY COMMUNIT

The deadline tion candidates for general electo file for November election passed the Wednesday on .

Candidates have turned their nominatin in the Lawrence g petitions and Bear Elections will County Board of of the event, meet on Aug. is certify the 17 to said “everything paperwork, with the full line-up for returning from before,” offices on the being released such staples ballot IT’S and recorded must be streamed through the DIRECTV the ronton Wizardfest including and watch your live The following next day. the BARKer Farm Now you can Genie HR44+ & elig. svc. Channels/content vary by pkg &applocation candidates is set to make a as details. filed by the below for DIRECTV had Petting Zoo, Lego 1. Req’s Internet-connected App. Restrs apply. See deadline: return this fall, and escape rooms to play Jordan college the fifth install- displays, AppalachianSpieth, Tiger MUNICIPAL RACES golf. I’ve put and Woods or the in ERIN, Wis. (AP) ment of the annual as work the past Dustin Johnson.

— The IRONTON themed crafters, such four biggest Potter-themed years Harry surprise glass and and Chandler I wanted to Mayor a blacksmith Dodson keep playing,” U.S. Open was at this festival. nly on DIRECTV. looked not who • Anthony Bazell he said. toward….h is blower. every Sunday—osold separately was leading, Organizer Brad Bear Dodson was grandparents? but who was • Amanda Cleary Every live game, Bear said the escape All-Ohio take only. Sports subscriptions leaving.

Valley Conference Out of market games said the event will called Dodson said • Samuel Cramblit now rooms, the Dustin Johnson, II place in downtown have gest influenceshis big- past two years and • Chris Perry ServicesFRP Rory was an 11-12 “riddle rooms,” McIlroy intro- Academic RU )D[ Was home to Bethesda Ironton from Nov. ducing him • Hugh Scott All-Ohio selecFEE OF $20/MO. and Jason Day SEE “ELECTION,” expanded, while to the game tion EARLY TERMINATION—Members $SSO\ RQOLQH PAGE 2A the top of that guests have been (except MA & PA). his senior season.

• Kelly Greco-Smith of golf were three the Lawrence 6XPPHU 6SHFLDOV 5HV&DUH FRP &DUHHUV players County and lease and credit card FEES APPLY. the Wizard Academy grandparin the world, offers require equipment announced.

4-H Ironton AND EQUIPMENT NON-RETURN been following IRU PRUH LQ ents Peanut 6KHULGDQ 0RELOH all of them New residential customer a horse show.

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ZZZ HOVHDKRPHV FRP also areyour illness, the best Sr., Gallipolis options is before the bigremodeled received a call /DERUHUV PXVW KDYH YDOLG when they er who a hard work- Ironton Fighting Tigers’ Chris He said they gest 36-hole HOLDINGS LLC time located at Dennison, [ dining room! said you’re faced with Serving Lawrence Bear played,” said logjam in 43 loves golf,” other senior GULYHUV OLFHQVHV • Betty V IV SUPPORT Chandler Dodson and a medical crisis. after part of the building, South Point WK VW Dodson. looking said of Rio Grande RedStorm.

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“I guess I closed of Out of market games only. Sports • Timothy Del Checcolo, South into a season to get so deep More information, page 5A subscriptions sold separately my eyes and who each had England, without a loss got a knock,” Virginia a 70.

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Cottageville, • Teresa Martin, Right behind DODGERS MOVE was a trio made his first Orel Hershiser of players that 11 RHP Josh Ravin New residential customer offers included a loss, according starts without require equipment lease and credit to STATS. card (except MA & PA). EARLY TERMINATION up from Triple-A was called Rickie Fowler, who FOR EACH MONTH REMAINING IN “Very rarely FEE OF $20/MO. went AGMT AND EQUIPMENT NON-RETURN Oklahoma 28 holes before does a pitcher City for his FEES APPLY. have the command making second majors this season. stint in the his first bogey and he’s had of three pitches then He takes the went three over Since 1896 place of RHP holes without of time,” manager this period Ross Striplin, Lawrence County’s Bank who making a par. Fowler was optioned.

Dave Roberts said. “As a shot a 73 hitter, you A SCOOTER know when a pitcher FOR SCOOTER very much and was still is The Reds presented in the hunt at and it’s a helpless on the attack Gathering for the celebration PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CINCINNATI Scooter a second straight Member feeling.”

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The Dodgers Must maintain a min. base TV pkg fee ($5/mo.) req’d for TiVo HD DVR and fourth home hat were more familiar of $29.99/mo. Add’l Fees & Terms: from DIRECTV. There is a fee of have won six straight overall, matching pitched,” Wood the way I’ve in $7/mo. for each receiver and/or Advanced Receiver fee ($15/mo.) included. Programming, pricing, for a Genie Mini/DIRECTV Ready TV/Device run ball from major — req’d for HD DVRs. TiVo service terms and conditions subject to change a row deepest slump on your account. its his game said. “I like at any time. Visit directv.com/legal P.R. and U.S.V.I.) Must stream Raymond Floyd, or call for details. 1. DIRECTV APP/MOBILE $19.95 Handling & Delivery fee may apply. Taxes not through DIRECTV app on compatible try to attack. on June to got swept over the Reds, who of the season. device. App uses location info. DVR: download from it to your mobile DVR: Residential DIRECTV U.S. Reqs Genie HD DVR model HR44 device. To download mobile device, customers (excludes But all three “We really caught a ceremonial 6. He also Arnold Palmer, or higher that is connected to the must also be on the Wi-Fi network in LA last weekend. demand not avail. Avail. are based pitch- The internet at the time you stream connected to DVR. Wi-fi data usage es have been on your package & may vary by location. didn’t have Gary or charges may apply. Limits: Mature, Live & recorded content streaming vary by location. Live & recorded pitch from Player and music, pay-per-view and select on as Dodgers are chance to get content streaming from set top box from set top box limited to one device limited to at channels to live stream are based Hale Irwin, any time. NFL SUNDAY TICKET: as they’ve ever sharp together Cincinnati 15-3 against excited,” managera 12-year-old Zach Thompson, on your package & may Package consists of all live out-of-market one device at time only. Rewind and fast forward functionalities may not work. All functions and who went on location. Other conditions apply.

NFL games (based on customer’s Bryan Price been.” programming subject to change 2017 NFL SUNDAY TICKET regular service address) broadcast on FOX since at full-season retail price is $281.94. to win his and CBS. Games available via remote renewal rate unless customer calls said. “We couldn’t who snagged the fourth Kenley Jansen NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscription viewing based on device to cancel prior to start of season. most dominant 2015, one of the put a lot will automatically continue in 2018 Subscription design and the NFL SUNDAY TICKET homer first major. in right field and each season thereafter at a name and logo are registered trademarks cannot be canceled (in part or in whole) aft er the start of the season of pressure on spcial streaks in the ble in the ninth gave up a dou- NL and subscription fee cannot be refunded.

Intellectual Property. All Rights of the NFL and its affiliates. NFL and presented Reserved. AT&T, GLOBE logo, DIRECTV, team names and uniform designs NFL, the NFL Shield Wood.” over that time.

The last six majors are registered Joc Pederson and all other DIRECTV marks contained while picking it to marks marks are the property of Gennett. their respective owners. herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual trademarks of the teams indicated. ©2017 AT&T have had a Property and/or AT&T affiliated Cincinnati has been won by companies. All other DIVE IN first-timers, dropped seven homer off Tim Adleman solo and that cycle (4-3), who gave up has two runs in chance to continue.a good six PLEASE SEE “REDS,” PAGE 2B PLEASE SEE “U.S. OPEN,” PAGE 3B :RUWKLQJWRQ

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Eight destinations across the region and beyond that should be on your summer list

Jan./Feb. 2026 Table of Contents

8 arts & culture 8

ON DISPLAY Milton company creating a thriving theater scene

living 16

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22

MISS KITTY COSPLAY Rachel Mullen has perfected art of cosplay over last decade

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arts & culture Tri-State Living

up close Milton company creating a thriving theater scene.

p. 8

arts & culture | On Display

8 | Tri-StateLiving

On Display | arts & culture

Nurturing

CREATIVITY

Mountain Roots builds a theater community Story Amanda Larch Hinchman | Photography Kayla Niece

T

he newest entertainment venue in Milton, West Virginia, the Mountain Roots Community Theatre, aims to build empowerment and literacy through live entertainment.

With a full slate of upcoming performances, the 2026 season includes “High Noon Hamlet,” March 20-29; “The Glass Menagerie,” by Tennessee Williams, May 15-24; “Charley’s Aunt,” by Brandon Thomas, July 24-Aug. 2; Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile,” Oct. 16-25; and “It’s A Wonderful Life,” a radio play by Joe Landry, Dec. 11-20.

The Mountain Roots Community Theatre promises something for everyone, from performers to audience members. Volunteers are welcome to help with the concession stand, sew costumes, assist backstage, run the light and sound booth and more. No experience is necessary for those interested in getting involved, says Cathy Deobler, artistic and managing director.

“We can always use people who can sew, people to help build sets and make props,” Deobler says. “You do not need any experience to act. I love working with novices.”

In addition to directing, Deobler also teaches acting classes for all ages and summer theatre camp for kids aged seven to 17.

Acting classes are a great way to combat social anxiety, Deobler says, for those who initially may be afraid to get on stage in front of others.

“Then you do and you love it,” she says. “In the acting class, where there’s only two or three other people and you don’t have to get up — we can do this from sitting in chairs—as you get more comfortable, we’ll take you where you’re at and move on from there.”

Kids put on a performance the last day of their twoweek summer camp, called the Fairy Tale Files, which centers around whichever fairy tale they want to do.

“The kids help write them so that they buy into who their character is,” Deobler says. “Once when we did it, Goldilocks had four bears because they wanted to be bears—and they ate eggs instead of porridge.”

Most importantly, everyone who signs up gets a part.

“Every kid who signs up gets a part, and it’s never ‘tree number five,’ unless that’s all they want to be,” Deobler says. “You audition for which part you get, not whether or

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arts & culture | On Display

10 | Tri-StateLiving

On Display | arts & culture

not you get it.”

Getting involved at the theatre also fulfills the fine art credit for homeschoolers in the state. Literacy is an important aspect of teaching theatre for Deobler, a former educator.

“I’m a big believer in reading and literacy for the kids,” she says. “You might not want to read the textbook your teacher gives you, but if you’re in a play, you’re going to learn to read that script so you can perform it. These are your words that you get to say.”

Originally based in Belle, West Virginia, from 2019-2024, after opening in its new location in June 2025, Mountain Roots has now put on two plays, equaling six performances over the course of two weekends, as well as comedy and improv nights, local musical acts and open mic variety shows.

The space is complete with a dressing room, prop closet, costume room, light and sound booth and seed shop — workshop — which all circles around to Deobler’s office and the lobby. Originally a kindergarten classroom, with four interlocking rooms, it creates a perfect loop.

Another important aspect of the space is its handicap accessible stage. Mountain Roots is open to anyone, and Deobler and others are fluent in American Sign Language, so ASL interpretation is also offered upon request.

“We keep the stage on the floor so it’s accessible,” Deobler says. “We do offer ASL interpretation so if you ask, you will have it the night you want it.”

Tri-StateLiving | 11

arts & culture | On Display

12 | Tri-StateLiving

On Display | arts & culture

As a nonprofit organization, Deobler says she would love for the theatre to be more self-sustaining, increase its audience base and be able to afford larger shows.

Grants, including one for $5,000 from the state of West Virginia, and donations help keep the mission going, but because of royalties, musicals cost more to produce so straight plays, meaning nonmusicals, are currently more affordable.

“Right now, the kids are always begging to do ‘Frozen,’ and the teens want to do ‘Heathers’ or ‘Mean Girls,’” she says. “I wish we could. We’re going to continue the straight plays because those I can afford to do without any help until we get more help and more people.”

Deobler writes adaptations from literature for many of the youth performances.

“If the source material is already there, it doesn’t cost me anything,” she says. “So we write it. Some of the stuff is public domain, and others we pay royalties for.”

Donations are always accepted, including for furniture, specialty clothing and accessories to be used as props.

Deobler says people may not realize just how much is needed for each individual play.

“We’ll take donations of cash or kind, and we’ll take clothing and furniture,” she says. “We did ‘Arsenic and Old Lace,’ and you need a wine decanter, four glasses, plates and stuff like that.”

Deobler’s favorite part of being part of Mountain Roots is building confidence.

“I feel a sense of pride in that I helped

Tri-StateLiving | 13

arts & culture | On Display

them achieve this,” she says. “The actors who, six weeks ago, didn’t think they could do this, at the very end, when they bow and they’re getting the applause, I like to see the look on their faces of, ‘I’ve never gotten applauded before; no one has ever acknowledged me for doing something.’ I like to see the joy it brings to them.”

Choosing to get involved in and support community theatre is important because it truly is a community, Deobler says.

“The people you see up on stage are your neighbors and your friends,” she says. “During the day, they might be a realtor, a lawyer, the clerk at Walmart, a teacher, whatever, but you come up here and it brings people together.”

14 | Tri-StateLiving

Mountain Roots Community Theatre is located at 1201 Pike St. in Milton, part of the Misty Rose Recreation Center, the former Milton Elementary School, and Deobler says the city has been incredibly supportive so far.

Those interested in learning more may contact Deobler by phone at 681-262-0776, by email at mountainrootstheatre@gmail.com or on Facebook @ MountainRootsCommunityTheatre. Audition information is available online at mountainrootstheatre.org. Tickets may be purchased on the website or at the door before each performance.

“I always say my goal is never a dark weekend,” Deobler says. a

living Tri-StateLiving

up close Rachel Mullen has perfected art of cosplay over last decade.

p. 16

living | Miss Kitty Cosplay

16 | Tri-StateLiving

Miss Kitty Cosplay | living

Fantasy

LIVING THE

Proctorville creator has mastered craft of costumes Story Heath Harrison | Photography Heath Harrison, submitted

R

achel Mullen says that cosplay allows one to “step out of the real world, not be yourself and be anyone you want to be.”

A resident of Proctorville, Mullen said she has been involved in cosplay for 12 years, starting shortly after high school, when she was invited by friends to attend Tri-Con in Huntington.

“I tagged along and I needed something to wear,” she said, stating that she chose Batman villainess Poison Ivy. The costume took her about a week to construct.

“I made it from store-bought undergarments and lots and lots of hot glue,” she said. “I was taking apart wreaths and stuff at my parents’ house.”

Mullen said the experience got her enthused and she began work on her next costume.

“Tri-Con ended and I immediately went home and started making plans,” she said. “I was trying to decide who I could be next and what was at an obtainable skill level. I had sewing experience and

stuff, but it wasn’t where it is now.”

Mullen said, at that point, she had been more focused on higher education in high school and that cosplay “ignited a passion for crafting and wanting to make things that I’d forgotten I even had.”

To date, Mullen said she has made roughly 50 costumes, with some of her favorites including a Jedi, Red Sonja, Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones, a Jawa, a Ghostbuster, a Battle Sister from Warhammer, a Venomized Mary Jane Watson from Spider-Man, Vampirella, Ariel from the Walt Disney version of “The Little Mermaid,” Merida from Pixar’s “Brave” and Princess Buttercup from “The Princess Bride.”

Mullen said in determining a character for a project, she looks for one that “really speaks to me.”

And, as someone with distinctive red hair, a character matching that can be a factor.

“I hate wearing wigs,” she said. “In the beginning, I did all the redheaded characters fast as I could. It

Tri-StateLiving | 17

living | Miss Kitty Cosplay

18 | Tri-StateLiving

was so much fun.”

Mullen’s cosplays have won her awards, such as second place at Origins Game Fair in Columbus and first place at Tri-Con. “There was a period of time where I thought I was going to be professional, and just make costumes and photos every day,” she said.

Mullen, whose background is in communications and public relations, said her cosplay led to her current job, working as a media director for Queen Gaming, through contacts she met at a convention.

She said she has a designed a game and is hoping to get one published, and is working on a toy design for a Hasbro challenge.

When asked what was her most challenging cosplay to

create, she says “definitely my Battle Sister.”

The elaborate piece incudes stilts under the boots, which she says are a challenge to walk in.

Mullen said, through the years, she has thoroughly increased her skill level at things such as sewing.

“I had done quilting with my grandma as a child, but I wasn’t making garments to wear,” she said. “Now, I can make anything.”

She has also gotten into 3D printing, creating part for her Ghostbusters equipment.

Once Mullen picks a character for a project, she said she first goes about finding as many reference photos as possible, and then determining what will be needed.

“Then I start gathering supplies for each item and, sometimes, that can be expensive,” she said, noting the

Tri-StateLiving | 19

living | Rachel Mullen

cost of quality paints and other things.

She said she drafts her own patterns, then sews everything herself.

“Then, I glue everything together and cut my foam, and paint it, then add any embellishments that will be necessary,” she said, adding the final step is to find someone to take a quality photo of the finished piece.

Mullen says her future projects include being an organizer with the 2026 CharCon gaming convention in Charleston West Virginia, while, as for cosplays, she says, “I have a bunch in progress.”

These include a Witch-king, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, and Liliana Vess, from Magic: The Gathering.

She said she is also planning something inspired by the 2024 remake of “Nosferatu,” a movie she describes as “life changing.”

Mullen’s cosplay has led to her take part in groups such as the local Rebel Legion, for Star Wars, while she is a member of the Real Appalachian Ghostbusters, based in Huntington.

Mullen, along with Keller Lindsay, of the Ghostbusters, appeared at a WIC event in downtown Ironton, one of many appearances she makes with them, such as the Proctorville Halloween Parade.

20 | Tri-StateLiving

In addition to conventions, she regularly makes appearances in costume at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, in Huntington.

“And pretty much anything to dress up and try to just make kids happy,” she said.

She is also involved with Nancy’ School of Dance, located in Proctorville, with whom she recently walked in the village’s Christmas parade.

She describes the reactions to the cosplay as “the best part,” whether it is being greeted by shouts at a gaming convention, or the reaction of children to one of her visits.

“Having little girls run up to me, screaming about wanting to hug a princess — it is so heartwarming,” she said.

She says it is the unexpected incidents that can be

most memorable.

She recalls drawing a group of onlookers when she was doing a photoshoot at Ravenwood Castle, near Hocking Hills in Ohio, as well as walking with a group of the Ghostbusters down Fourth Avenue in Huntington, West Virginia.

“People were stopping their cars to scream at us,” she said, stating the shock on people’s faces can be “so entertaining.”

As for what she gets out of all it, she says it plays into the fact that she has “always had a fascination with fantasy and a love of creativity.”

“And this allows me a wearable, creative outlet for it,” Mullen said.

For more information and to view more of Mullen’s work, visit Miss Kitty Cosplay on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. a

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feature | Creek Walkers

22 | Tri-StateLiving

Collecting for craft Creek Walkers specializes in recycled glass

Story Amanda Larch Hinchman | Photography Blair Burns

H

eather Walker jokes she doesn’t know what’s up the creek, but she can show you what comes down it.

Walker enters the coffee shop, where we agreed to meet, wearing a necklace made from a 102-yearold Coca-Cola bottle, earrings transformed from old canning jar lids and a whimsical snowman brooch made from glass that may have started out as a plate or cooking dish.

She crafted each of these herself, but where she sourced

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feature | Creek Walkers

the glass may surprise you.

A few years ago, not wanting to be left out, Walker and her young son joined her husband as he was shed hunting in the woods, and to keep themselves entertained, she and her little boy played in the creek.

“I stumbled upon a piece of glass and another piece of glass, and it was like a Coke bottle, a Mason Jar, these pretty greens,” she describes.

The more they explored, the more Walker couldn’t resist collecting the glass and rescuing it from the creek. Handfuls of glass quickly turned into bucketfuls, which in turn began to overtake the garage in what Walker calls a, “little bit of a hoard.”

“They were beautiful colors, and I just called them dirty treasures, because I didn’t know what to do with them,” she says.

After some digging on the Internet, she was inspired by beach and sea glass jewelry and decor to begin creating similar pieces with her creek glass collection.

“I needed to break it down to workable things,” Walker says. “Once I drilled that first hole through glass, it was over — I knew I could hang it, I could jewel it.”

A year or so later, Walker participated in her first craft show in 2019 and says she knew then that’s what she wanted to do. People were interested and liked her story, too. Initially calling her burgeoning business Heather’s Handmade, it was her son who coined the name Creek Walkers.

“Our last name is Walker; we walk in creeks,” she says. “It’s perfect.”

Now, Creek Walkers, specializing in upcycled and recycled creek and river glass, has grown to participate in multiple shows

24 | Tri-StateLiving

a year, including the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair and the Capital City Arts and Craft Show.

“I can’t believe that, from walking in creeks and picking up glass, to, now, here we are doing the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair and the Pumpkin Festival, so it’s really great to see how it’s circled around and played out,” Walker says.

Each show she comes prepared with dozens and dozens of items. Some of her bestselling products are suncatchers, ornaments, jewelry and lifelike succulents made with green glass. Each piece, though similar, is one of a kind — her pieces are sisters, not twins, she says.

“My favorite compliments I get are, ‘This is unique, I’ve never seen anything like this, how original, I would have never thought of that,’” Walker says. “I don’t realize how much I’ve made until I do a show and I can lay it all out, because I only make an item in bulk at a time.”

While she — understandably — won’t give up the honey hole where she sources most of her creek class, Walker will admit to foraging for material in Alum Creek, the Greenbrier River, Kanawha Falls and more.

“I have a honey hole, but I started technically in Alum Creek,” she says. “Really, every waterway I have been in West Virginia has had glass. Some people say they’ve never found anything like this in a creek. You probably have just walked over it. It’s not something when you’re at the creek that you’re looking for.”

Not all of her inventory is sourced solely from West Virginia’s waterways, however.

“Most of it, I try to find in the creek,” she says. “Now, at this point, I do upcycle-recycle wine bottles, pasta jars, those things. Even now I have people saving me glass.

Pasta and pickle jars aren’t safe at my house; no glass leaves my house for the dump.”

While she accepts donations of glass, she prefers older

Tri-StateLiving | 25

26 | Tri-StateLiving

glass to new, as it’s thicker.

“I can’t take everybody’s glass, but almost every show someone is bringing me a bag of glass,” she says.

“Usually, I make a trade. You gift me glass and I will give you something just because it gives it a second or third chance at life to not be in our creek. I like the old stuff, the stuff from your creek, not so much your pantry, as much as I would love to take it.”

For Walker, Creek Walkers also has a mission of bringing to light how much glass people use on average, as well as the importance of recycling, as there is no local glass recycling where she is based in South Charleston, West Virginia.

“I hope that maybe we can get local glass recycling back,” she says. “I would love to have one restaurant, one

bar, keep all their glass for one week just to see how much they use, because it’s just going to our landfills. It’s not going to break down. Glass is 100 percent renewable. We could grind it down to make other things. We could make sandbags. We should be doing that.”

She welcomes ideas and accepts commissions for Creek Walkers. Her work has made its way to Florida, Alaska, Utah and even England.

“I hope I live up to their expectations,” she says. “I enjoy making them, especially when I have a return.

When I craft stuff, people love what I make. People can come find their treasure. So when someone’s specifically asking for something, I want them to love it. Tell me what you like and what you don’t like because everything’s customizable in this craft.”

Tri-StateLiving | 27

feature | Creek Walkers

Walker enjoys posting content on social media showing her creative process and the environmentally minded mission of her work and says the best way to contact her is through her Facebook or TikTok @ HeatherCreekWalker.

“I like to show the process that if I can reuse it, I’m going to reuse it in the best way that I can,” she says.”

This venture isn’t without its risks — Walker says she has a favorite band aid for pre and post breaking glass — and it’s still a learning curve. Her future goals are to potentially begin selling online and expand from her living room workshop.

28 | Tri-StateLiving

Just as it’s hard for her to pinpoint a piece she likes best, Walker says she enjoys the entire aspect of her business and craft.

“I can’t say specifically what’s my favorite part because it all plays together,” she says.

“I love to be in the creek,” she continued. “I enjoy collecting and crafting glass. I enjoy shows and talking to people about the glass. The fact that people hang my stuff, I hope that they look at it and it brings a little bit of happiness, a smile, something, even if it’s just for that second in the day. Some days are hard, so a little bit of sparkle is always nice.” a

Tri-StateLiving

food

up close Portsmouth business offers food, lively experiences.

p. 30

30 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Kitchen | food

MAKING MEMORIES Oddfellows offers food and fun

Story Staff Report | Photography Heath Harrison, Submitted

O

ddfellows in downtown Portsmouth isn’t just a restaurant, it is a labor of love.

The building was built has been a landmark in Portsmouth for years.

It was built in 1852 by Milton Kennedy, who was an entrepreneur and abolitionist, a conductor on the Underground Railroad and founder of the Ohio

Republican Party. In its long history, the building has been a feed store, a hospital, a shoe factory, the fraternity hall for the Oddfellows and an addiction treatment facility.

It was purchased by Jeremy Burnside, an attorney and a community leader, and his wife, Maddie, a real estate broker, in 2019 as a restoration project.

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food | In the Kitchen

32 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Kitchen | food

Today, Oddfellows stands as a tribute to love, a dream and the power of community — a place where history meets hospitality and where new beginnings take root in even the oldest of spaces. a cornerstone of Portsmouth’s growing downtown revival — a place where history meets hospitality.

Jeremy was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer and passed away in 2022.

“I had a ‘for sale’ sign in the window; I was going to sell the thing,” Maddie recalled. “It had a brighter future.

God had other plans; he always does.”

Instead of selling, she continued on with the project with her father helping out with the first phase of renovations.

She met Jay Kehoe, a skilled builder and chef, who helped her launch Oddfellows on Dec. 23, 2022. They later married.

What they built is more than a restaurant, it has Duck

pin bowling and arcade games and has daily specials like Mini Mondays, Wing-It Wednesdays, the third Sunday of the month is Jazzy brunch and they have Bourbon and wine tastings.

They serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

“You have to decide between the breakfast oysters and the corned beef Benedict,” Jay said. “It’s gonna be a tough choice.”

The point is that, when you come to Oddfellows, you have a variety of choices.

“You walk in, and you know that you’re about to have an experience,” Jay described. “What we built is really exciting. The tables, the woodwork, it’s eye-popping. It’s all repurposed wood from the building.”

“I think you feel our slogan — Where Fun and Flavor Unite — when you walk in,” Maddie said. “It’s a gathering place, where you’re going to have a good time.

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food | In the Kitchen

The menu is unique.

“We have wood-fired pizzas, chicken wings, unique and fresh, scratch-made, it’s unlike anything you’re going to find here locally,” Maddie said, adding nothing is fried.

“The wings aren’t breaded, she said. They’re smoked for three hours and then put in the wood oven and are made fresh to order, and they come out super crispy.”

They are working on doing dry rubs on the chicken wings and “we’ve got a couple right now that are just so good, like a Java rub and apple cider,” Maddie said.

She said, by far, their best seller is meatballs.

“They are made in house and served with marinara,” Maddie said. “We’ve got scratch made crab cakes, mushroom mushrooms, and then we also have fresh oysters.”

34 | Tri-StateLiving

In the Kitchen | food

Another fan favorite is the hot honey goat cheese pizza. which features pepperoni, goat cheese, arugula and drizzled with the house hot honey sauce.

They also have such special items as fire-roasted bacon Brussels sprouts served crispy with the house bacon, melted parmesan and a balsamic drizzle; peach and prosciutto with caramelized sweet onions, fresh mozzarella, hot honey and fresh basil; hot honey carrots which are fire-roasted and glazed with the house hot honey and served with a preserved lemon feta yogurt sauce and topped with pistachios; Pierogi pizza, which has a mashed potato base with cheddar cheese and scallions and sand cream fresh to go on top.

They also feature a Reuben, which is corn beef brisket that goes through nine days of curing and 36 hours of cooking.

“And it is change-your-life good,” said Jay. It features house-made corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy thousand island dressing on an everything-seasoned crust.

As the chef, Jay gets excited about the seasonal items.

“The intention is that, you know, we can stay fresh, but change our menu up, so you don’t have come here and you have to get the same thing all the time,” he said.

One unique thing is the fusion of Korean and American cuisine.

“Kimchi pizza was Maddie’s idea,” Jay said. “She lived in Korea for two years.

She loves kimchi, and she was like, ‘You should have kimchi pizza,’ and then that’s all I needed to hear.”

Oddfellows is available to be rented for special events.

“We’ve had weddings up there for over 100 people. Oh, wow, class reunions, graduation parties and baby showers,” Maddie said.

“It’s growing; there’s a demand for it,” Jay said.

Oddfellows is located at 526 2nd St., Portsmouth.

Current hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Visit pizzaandpins.com, like @oddfellows.ports on Facebook or call 740-529-2470 for more information.

— Dawn Nolan contributed to this piece. a

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food | In the Kitchen

Cheesy Spinach Chicken Bake • 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken • 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained • 15 ounces ricotta cheese • 2 cups mozzarella cheese • 1 cup Parmesan cheese • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning • 1 tablespoon garlic powder • 1 tablespoon onion powder • 1 tablespoon lemon thyme

36 | Tri-StateLiving

Heat oven to 375˚F. Cut rotisserie chicken and spinach into bite-sized pieces. In baking dish, mix chicken and spinach with ricotta cheese.

Add mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and lemon thyme. Mix well then bake 30 minutes.

From the Cookbook | food

Apple Spice Cake • 2 apples • 3 tablespoons brown sugar • 1 tablespoon cinnamon • 1 tablespoon flour (optional) • 1 box spice cake mix • 1 stick butter, melted • 4 eggs • 1 cup milk GLAZE: • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar • 2-3 tablespoons milk • 1 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350˚F. Peel, core and chop apples into bite-sized pieces. In bowl, mix apples with brown sugar, cinnamon and flour, if desired, which helps keep apples from sinking to bottom.

Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, mix spice cake mix, butter, eggs and milk. Mix in apples and pour into 9-by-13-inch pan.

Bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cool.

To make glaze: Mix powdered sugar and milk; pour over cooled cake.

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

Tri-StateLiving | 37

the last word

People move community forward

W

hen I think about what moves a community forward, I don’t picture a single big project. I picture people showing up.

Here in Ironton, you can see both the work being done and the work left to do. There are still empty storefronts and a riverfront that we haven’t fully activated. At the same time, neighbors join cleanups and volunteers keep traditions going, from leading historic walks and stirring apple butter from recipes passed down through generations to hosting community concerts. Together, they help our downtown feel like a place to linger, not just pass through.

We live in a county that’s home to Ohio’s only national forest, with hills, trails and waterways all around us.

When it’s your backyard, it can be easy to overlook these assets. But they’re full of potential.

Across the country, recreation now generates more than a trillion dollars a year and millions of jobs. State grants are helping upgrade Ironton’s riverfront and restore the historic Ro-Na Theatre. Regional efforts are helping us identify and share our Underground Railroad history, turning local stories into places visitors can explore and experience. These investments reinforce what many of us have believed for a long time — our history, landscapes and main streets are economic assets,

38 | Tri-StateLiving

Sarah Simmons was elected to Ironton City Council in November 2025 and her term starts in January.

not just scenery.

But no outside investment works unless we match it with our own. That means supporting small businesses, welcoming visitors and celebrating wins in neighboring communities. It means listening to longtime residents and to young people deciding whether to build their futures here.

In the end, it will not be one big project that moves us forward, but all the ways we keep showing up for this place and one another.

YOUR COMMUNITY BANK WE WOULD LOVE A CHANCE TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS. IRONTON BRANCH

221 RAILROAD ST. | 740.533.4505 OR CONTACT ELLIE.MULLENS@PEBO.COM

pebo.com Peoples Bank (w/logo)® is a federally registered service mark of Peoples Bank.

Tri-StateLiving | 39

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