letter editor
from the
New year, new editor! I’m pleased to be taking on the position of Editorin-Chief of The Commuter this year. Through the help of our staff adviser, the previous EIC and the rest of the newspaper staff my transition into this role has been a smooth one.
Last year we said goodbye to several members of our staff as they moved on to new ventures in their own lives. The summer, however, brought many new members to our team. Both new and returning staff of The Commuter have been hard at work to bring you this Welcome Day edition.
The beginning of the school year can be stressful for everyone. Whether you’re a returning student, or a new college student venturing into the world for the first time. But as summer comes to a close and the air turns crisp, there is a hopefulness for new beginnings.
Welcome Day gives us the opportunity to make new connections and to explore all the possibilities we have at LBCC. As you explore the campus, check out some of the many tables hosted by different clubs and organizations. College is a challenge no matter who you are. But building a community on campus is one of the most helpful things you can do. So explore new interests! You never know where you might make a new friend.
While you explore the campus I hope you can enjoy reading through this year's first edition of The Commuter. In these pages you’ll find some of our usual content, such as interviews with college staff, travel, and local news. One article tells the story of an injured owl and their journey back to the wild, another gives insight into changes made to the Americans with Disabilities Act and what these changes mean for college students and staff. We also included some new kinds of content. So be sure to check out the comic strips featuring Rocky the Roadrunner, and our monthly recipe!
If you are inspired by these pages, think about joining The Commuter! You don’t have to be a journalism major to join. We are always happy to receive contributions. More than just writing goes into putting together The Commuter, so don’t be afraid to
Micah Teague Editor-in-Chief
us
The Commuter is the student-run magazine for LBCC, financed by student fees and advertising. Opinions expressed in The Commuter do not necessarily reflect those of the LBCC administration, faculty and students of LBCC. Editorials, columns, letters, and cartoons reflect the opinions of the authors. LBCC is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
letters welcome
The Commuter encourages readers to use its “Opinion” section to express their views on campus, community, regional and national issues. The Commuter attempts to print all submissions received, but reserves the right to edit for grammar, length, libel, privacy concerns and taste. Opinions expressed by letter submitters do not represent the views of The Commuter staff or the college.
join the team
Wanna get together? We’re really nice and fairly cool and we’d love to hear what you have to say. Not big on journalism but love to journal? Perfect. Are you a STEM major with major opinions? Let’s hear ’em. Like writing about ’80s film? Local animals? Snack hacks? Maybe you have a hefty folder of flash fiction on your laptop, just dying to be published and printed. Drop us a line. We’d love to meet you, read you, and support you. Think your ideas might be too weird or too niche for submission? Even better. The Commuter is an award-winning publication because of our wide range of contributions and our unique contributors. So reach out. We’ll be staring at our email inbox in the meantime, not an ounce of chill to be had.
editor-in-chief
MICAH
design editor
KAILYN MCQUISTEN
JULIA
advisor
ROB
contributors
ANTHONY
AYDEN HORTT
BRENDA AUTRY
CARSON EMMERT
JESUS SANDOVAL-URIBE
MARSHALL HAMEL
MICAH
MIKA WINDER
MIKE
RENEE
SAVANNAH WEST
SID
SKYLAR WILKERSON WANT
Classroom Phone Ban
Expanding Curiosity and Community
Interviews with Local Protesters
Chintimini Wildlife Center Saves TikTok Famous “Barbed Wire Barn Owl.”
Corvallis Museum No Kings, No Strings Europe on a Tent String Barn Owl Flies Free
How Camping Made My Summer Trip to Slovenia Affordable and Unforgettable
with Creative Writing Instructor Terrance Millet
Pesto Pizza
Impact on Colleges, Classrooms and Campus
Herbal Hideaway in the Forest
cover photos by MIKE MCREYNOLDS AND BRENDA AUTRY
MOVING ON FROM
Moodle:
The Transition to Canvas, and What it Means for You
words by ANTHONY DREWS
Change is hard. When something familiar suddenly changes into something else, it can be daunting. This is especially so with big changes, like moving out of a family home or starting a new job. Change can be uncomfortable, unpleasant, and unwanted.
But sometimes, change is good.
With the start of the 2025-26 academic year, LBCC has retired Moodle and begun using Canvas as its learning management system. While some courses had already been using Canvas since 2024, now all classes at LBCC will be accessed online solely through Canvas.
With such a massive change, it would not be surprising to see things such as students panicking about not knowing where their online classes are, instructors grumbling about the amount of extra work they have to do to set up their course this term, or the college’s Help Desk pulling their hair out over the amount of new tickets they are receiving.
But such things haven’t really happened; in fact, the reception among students and faculty alike has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I was impressed at how little resistance overall both students and faculty demonstrated with the change,” said Jess Winans, the dean of Teaching and Learning Support at LBCC. “Teaching and learning wise, people were very pleased.”
So how did such a big change get met with universal support? What does this transition mean for students and teachers? Why was this deemed necessary at all?
And the most important question of all… “Where are my classes?!”
Once they have registered for courses, students will navigate to https://linnbenton.instructure.com and log in with their LBCCprovided email account. This will bring them to the Canvas Dashboard, which will have links to all their courses for the current term.
That’s it.
Putting it in perspective for new students or those otherwise unfamiliar: to access courses previously, students had to go to LBCC’s main website, log in to My LB Single Sign-On, confirm the login with Duo’s two-factor authentication, and then go to Moodle from their single sign-on portal. While this is undoubtedly more secure and eventually became muscle memory for current students, the entire process was fairly cumbersome, required multiple redirects, and left many unused tabs open on the browser once they actually got to Moodle. Bookmarking Moodle in their browser didn’t always work either, often redirecting them back to the SSO portal login.
This made for a lengthy process just to find a due date or check a recent grade. Now all of that information is two clicks away, and they can even bookmark the Canvas link for maximum efficiency (or laziness)! And if they have to go through SSO for other reasons, such as checking registration status or financial aid information, there is a tile for Canvas on the main SSO portal as well.
Note that the registration process itself hasn’t changed; students still go through WebRunner to register for classes like they always have. Dropping courses, registering from a waitlist, and other related processes are also unchanged. It is now simply less work to actually get to their courses during the term, especially for quick tasks.
Reasons for the Change
LBCC began this transition in 2023, after an evaluation from their latest accreditation process suggested a renewed strategy for online learning. Winans previously worked in the Center for Teaching Excellence at LBCC, which is focused on helping faculty to improve teaching and learning through collaborative effort. This experience allowed her to easily move into her new role in 2024 and begin tackling the problem of improving the college’s online presence, including a review of the current LMS, Moodle.
“We did an official survey of students to see their preferences of Moodle compared to other learning management systems,” she recalled. And while students didn’t appear to have a preference for a specific program, one sentiment was universal: “Students wanted a single LMS.”
While the majority of LBCC’s classes were offered through Moodle, this wasn’t something that was mandated. Some instructors already used Canvas or other systems, with a Moodle page that simply consisted of a link to such. What was important to students was not which specific LMS they needed to use, but the consistency of everyone using the same thing.
In the end, it was the faculty support that made LBCC decide to settle on Canvas going forward.
“I cannot say enough good things about Canvas,” said one faculty member, who asked to remain anonymous. This sentiment seems to be universal, with faculty overwhelmingly preferring Canvas over Moodle despite the amount of extra work involved. One particular point that kept coming up was how much more engaged students seemed to be with Canvas, especially when it came to things such as grading and deadlines.
“People have been doing [this work] willingly, they're doing it early, and they're getting it done because there's a general excitement to switch to Canvas,” said Winans.
Bumps in the Road
Not everything has been sunshine and roses, but many of these issues weren’t actually with Canvas itself. For instance, a few instructors had become quite proficient “power users” with Moodle, using its framework in ways that aren’t able to be replicated in the more standardized Canvas interface. Others still were simply resistant to change in any form; it wouldn’t have mattered what system they were moving to.
A concern from some students was how the course material was presented in Canvas. However, these complaints existed for Moodle as well; this speaks more to how the course itself is set up, or perhaps the learning style of the student. This is something that is being continually reviewed by the Center for Teaching Excellence, which works closely with faculty to improve accessibility for students as much as possible.
In addition, widespread technological changes in any organization can be fickle. While major issues have been fixed in the current implementation of Canvas, Winans encourages students to be proactive about contacting the Student Help Desk for assistance. The
People have been doing [this work] willingly, they're doing it early, and they're getting it done because there's a general excitement to switch to Canvas.
“sooner they report something wrong, in Canvas or otherwise, the sooner they can be prepared for fall term.
Moving Ahead on a New Canvas
Asmall pilot launch for Canvas consisting of 24 classes was done in spring 2025 as an “alpha test” ahead of the full changeover. This allowed Winans and her department to fix any major issues and get crucial feedback ahead of a full launch, minimizing the impact on the college as a whole.
And while the official launch was technically last term (summer 2025), it still had the feel of a “beta test” due to the much lower volume of traffic LBCC typically has in the summer. Slowly increasing the scope over multiple academic terms allows for a smoother transition, as more people get eyes on the new processes and provide different perspectives.
Fall term will be the real test, when the majority of students will have returned to resume their studies. As with spring and summer, surveys will be sent to students regarding their experience with Canvas as the fall term comes to close, and Winans encourages students to reach out to her directly as well.
Through the entire process, Winans and her colleagues have been the most thankful for how supportive both students and faculty have been. Referring to an incident where an error on their part accidentally changed due dates for students in Canvas:
“What I loved about that was that people were just really gracious. What we're seeing from both faculty and students is everyone knows that we're making this really big change, and that it's a lot of hard work on everyone's part. And people are being kind and patient as we're making those mistakes.”
For more information, contact:
Jess Winans Dean of Teaching and Learning Support: winansj@linnbenton.edu
Student Help Desk
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
541-917-4630- student.helpdesk@linnbenton.edu
words by TRAVIS OVERVIG, LAURA TAYLOR, AND THE LBCC CIVIL DISCOURSE PROGRAM
YES
Let’s stop pretending we don’t see the problem. Students are losing focus, falling behind, and checking out, and a big part of the reason is sitting in their pockets.
Gov. Tina Kotek’s executive order banning cell phone use during school hours isn’t overreach. It’s common sense. Phones have slowly turned classrooms into a fight for attention, and our kids are the ones losing. If we’re serious about education, we need to be serious about removing the distractions that are eroding it.
In 2022, the Program for International Student Assessment found that two-thirds of students say they’re distracted by devices in class. The result is clear: lower scores, less focus, and a system stretched thin. A 2025 National Center for Education Statistics survey shows over 70% of school leaders believe phones hurt mental health and attention spans. More than half say they directly hurt academic performance.
Oregon public schools will undergo a significant change by 2026: no more phones.
On July 2, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed Executive Order No. 25-09, which requires state school districts to ban students’ personal electronic devices for the entirety of “regular instructional hours.”
Schools must develop a policy by Oct. 31 and implement it by Jan. 1.
Kotek’s order cited the need to “protect the mental health and well-being of Oregon students.” Is the phone ban the correct way to address this goal?
While the ban may have initially surprised students, it’s far from a radical idea. Oregon is now the 27th state to implement restrictions on cell phone use in schools, joining a growing nationwide movement. With more than half the country on board, it’s clear this approach is gaining traction, and for a good reason.
Some say this goes too far. But the Netherlands just banned phones in schools, and per Reuters, 75% of high schools reported better student focus. When districts enforce a cell phone ban, they send the message that education is the priority. That’s a message the state of Oregon could benefit from reinforcing. Despite being ranked 41st in the nation for overall school performance, Oregon has some of the highest per-student spending. Clearly, money alone isn’t the solution. Kotek’s policy recognizes
that real academic support means helping students focus, engage, and succeed. This isn’t about banning technology altogether; it’s about using it with purpose, not at the expense of learning.
It’s understandable that many students have valid reasons for using phones during school hours, whether it’s to communicate with an employer, as a tool for a class, or even for safety in certain situations. However, with Kotek’s order, districts have the flexibility to allow access for urgent situations.
Just because constant phone use has become the norm in schools doesn’t mean it’s the best path forward. We should be willing to question whether what’s common is actually what’s helpful.
Travis has four children in school and sees firsthand how this generation is expected to succeed in an environment full of noise and digital temptation. Everything is competing for their attention, and too often, education and real human connection lose. This constant pull from screens has chipped away at their learning and social skills. Now throw a smartphone into the mix, with TikTok, texts, and notifications buzzing nonstop. It’s not a fair fight.
That’s why it makes sense to ban phones throughout the entire school day, including breaks and lunch. Kotek’s order has the potential to foster more meaningful, face-toface connections among students. Without the constant pressure of notifications and social media, students are more likely to be present, both physically and emotionally.
In a world where digital noise is constant, school can become one of the few places where students actually get a break. In fact, nearly three-quarters of students nationwide report feeling more peaceful when they’re away from their phones, according to Pew Research.
Phones have a place, but that place isn’t in the middle of a math lesson, a science lab, or a student’s chance at a better future. We owe them better. And it starts with putting the phones away.
Just
because constant phone use has become the norm in schools doesn’t mean it’s the best path forward.
We should be willing to question whether what’s common is actually what’s helpful.
words by RYLAND BICKLEY AND THE LBCC CIVIL DISCOURSE PROGRAM
NO
Gov. Kotek’s executive order to ban cell phones in classrooms is certainly well-intentioned, but its K-12 scope and “bell-to-bell” timeframe is an overreaction to the problem at hand.
For one, there are obvious safety concerns. Per CNN, school shootings have steadily increased since 2008, with a tragic 83 occurring in 2024. The CDC found in 2019 that 9% of high school students had missed school in the last 30 days because they felt unsafe on their way there or on the premises. With the ban, students and parents won’t be able to immediately contact each other in times of emergency.
It’s one thing to request phones be put away while class is in session – but taking them away for an entire school day is cutting a valuable line of communication between students and those they feel comfortable contacting. Under the current wording of the executive order, students can’t even access their phones during reasonable times, such as lunch or in between periods.
It’s one thing to request phones be put away while class is in session – but taking them away for an entire school day is cutting a valuable line of communication between students and those they feel comfortable contacting.
The ban doesn’t just take away cell phones for younger age groups that are the most susceptible to the negative effects of screen time, but instead stretches all the way through 12th grade. This is problematic for high schoolers, who deserve the autonomy to keep their personal devices with them.
Many high schoolers have jobs or important responsibilities outside of school they may need to monitor during the day. Like it or not, the instant connectivity phones provide has become a major aspect of modern life, especially in the workforce. Impacted students shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get a personal exemption to the ban.
Breaks from the internet are a good thing, of course, but whether or not an older student should be kept from their phone for multi-hour blocks several days a week is a choice that should be
left to the individual and their parents, not the state. And many seniors are 18 years old – a legal adult.
Another worrying part of the ban is how it places more responsibility on teachers. The executive order puts the onus on each individual school district to implement its own version of the ban, requiring them to come up with ways to safely store student cell phones and enforce the rules.
One option allows students to keep their devices on their person, but in a school-provided lockable pouch. The problem? It’s not cheap, and the executive order doesn’t come with any funding. The Oregonian reported such pouches cost Oregon’s North Clackamas School District $300,000 for a school district of nearly 17,000 students in 2024.
But if not the pouches, schools would be responsible for safely managing student devices and redistributing them to the right person each day.
Additionally, many modern education techniques are intertwined with technology. When Ryland was in high school, some of his classes used “Kahoot” games for test preparation, where each student logged into an online quiz on their phone or device. These games were always popular; they fostered healthy competition and were an engaging way to retain information.
While Kotek’s order still allows for devices such as Chromebooks to be used in the classroom, not every district has the means to supply each student with an approved device. As education moves more online, phones remain the most accessible way for every student to stay involved.
Managing students’ in-class screen time is a worthy goal. However, blanket bans such as Kotek’s recent executive order are too much, too late for Oregon students.
Terrance Millet is a 26-year instructor of creative writing/ fiction at Linn-Benton Community College. He lives in Corvallis.
“I got my MFA in fiction writing at OSU. My family is from a little town in Vermont on the U.S.-Canadian border: Stanstead/Derby Line. The border goes through the town, through the town library and through a number of buildings and homes.”
His fiction has appeared in The Hopkins Review, The Clackamas Literary Review, Descant, and The New Quarterly among others; and his poetry has been published in Canadian Literature, Acumen, Prism International, Etc., Pig Iron Press, To Topio and other small presses.
How did you come to be a creative writer?
I began writing poems when I was in sixth grade. It came from loving poems and memorizing them — Robert Service (The Cremation of Sam Magee), and some Browning poems. The meter is what appealed to me. Of course in those days we had to read and memorize poems in grade school.
How did that lead to teaching creative writing?
I’ve been writing all my life. I began writing prose (fiction and non-fiction later in life after a loss in my family). I sent the piece to OSU’s MFA writing program and was accepted. As grad students, we taught, and afterwards I applied to LBCC as the first MFA faculty in the English department. I put together the creative writing program then — this was around twenty years ago — and designed and got accredited for most of the creative writing classes we have today.
Q&A
Are you writing anything now?
Creative Writing Instructor
What genre of fiction do you prefer?
At this point, I prefer science fiction writing and the speculative writing of Jorges Borges. Although I do love good science fiction.
Have you written anything that has been published?
Yes. I’ve had a novel published (Bones in the Dam), essays, short stories, and poetry. A book of poems by Rainer Maria Rilke that I translated from German is published (The Quiet Storms of Rainer Maria Rilke), and a personal collection of poems (It’s 3 a.m. in Santa Cruz). My first published book was Twenty Greek Poems.
Terrance Millet
“Good writing – and good art – particularizes the universal and universalizes the particular.”
Kendall Dunkelberg – The Personal / Universal Paradox in Art
Yes. I’m working on another collection of poems and on an auto-fictive piece , a type of fiction that combines autobiography with fictional elements, about the time I lived in Santa Cruz.
Who are your writing idols?
I guess the Argentinian writer, speculative writer, Jorge Borges.
Why this particular writer and what about him do you admire?
I admire Jorge Borges’ speculative and flexible mindset. He explores ideas that are both contemporary and centuries old. He writes fictions that are labyrinthine and challenging, focusing on the nature of reality and who we are as human beings, as well essays that cover things from the everyday to the metaphysical. He’s one of the most profound and wide-ranging thinkers I know of, and I’m always inspired and challenged when I read his work.
What inspires you to write?
It’s a need. Exploration of life and of myself. As one writer put it, “How do I know what I mean until I see what I say?”
Do you have any rituals that help you avoid writer's block?
I’ve never really had that problem. If I don’t have anything to say, then I don’t force it. I read and wait.
What do you do when you want to clear your mind?
Sit in a natural setting like the beach or the woods and be there, observing, experiencing, without thinking.
What should students expect when they take your class?
Well, self-discovery for one thing. Everyone in my workshop has to write one original story for the term, so finding one’s voice is a big item, as is gaining the confidence to read, write, and talk about the experience with other people.
The underlying lesson of the workshop is the discovery of how literary fiction — all good fiction, really — contains fundamental truths about what it means to be a human being and experience the vagaries of life, and how those things are universal and timeless and bring us together through shared experience. That we are not alone in what we experience, and how good fiction sheds light on that.
Office: North Santiam Hall 203
Phone: 541-917-4555
Email: milletl@linnbenton.edu
interview by MIKE MCREYNOLDS
BBQ Picnic in the Courtyard
Enjoy free BBQ pork/chicken sandwiches, prizes, and more! 12-3pm
Trike Day
Become the newest champion of the Roadrunner Roadway from 12-2pm.
Location: Cour tyard. the champion of the Roadrunner Roadway from 12-2pm. tyard. MONEY PRIZES! MONEY PRIZES!
Volunteer Fair
Check out on-and-off campus volunteer oppor tunities in the Cour tyard from 12-2pm.
Waverly Park Clean Up
Help us beauitfy our adopted park, Waverly in Albany from 10am-1pm. Donuts and coffee are provided. Park Clean Up is happening rain or shine!
Arts & Eats
Join us for painting, drawing, mini-vision board making, free food, and more from 12-2pm in CC211!
Join us for painting, drawing, mini-vision board making, free food, and more from 12-2pm in CC211!
Did you know you can check out more events here?
Did you know you can check out more events here?
We have much more planned for Fall including the Halloween Bash, Blood Drive, Speed Friending, Wreck-It Ralph, Chill Stations, and more! We have much more planned for Fall including the Halloween Bash, Blood Drive, Wreck-It Chill Stations, and more!
The New ADA Update: What It Means for Colleges, Classrooms and Campus Life
words
In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a landmark update to the Americans with Disabilities Act, marking the largest shift in accessibility law in over a decade. For community colleges such as LBCC, this change is about more than legal compliance; it’s an opportunity to set a new standard.
As LBCC accessibility expert Dionna Camp explained, “The rule applies regardless of whether the institution receives a specific accommodation request. ” Accessibility is no longer a response to individual needs; it is now the baseline expectation across all digital platforms.
The April 2024 ADA update made digital accessibility a legal requirement, turning long-standing “best practices” into law. All web content, learning platforms, mobile apps, and third-party tools must meet accessibility standards. This includes course materials shared via Canvas, PDF’s or slides shared through Google Drive, videos posted for students, and even college-managed apps such as LBChirp.
The rule also covers tools provided “on behalf of” the college, meaning integrated third-party apps must comply. By April 2027, all public institutions, including colleges such as LBCC, must ensure their materials meet “Level AA” standards. The Department of Justice has stressed in its fact sheet that “accessibility isn’t optional or dependent on student requests” — it is a legal baseline. Failure to comply could trigger Office for Civil Rights investigations, fines, or binding corrective orders.
by SAVANNAH WEST
graphic via FREEPIK
LBCC has assembled a “Dream Team” to lead the transition: Dionna Camp, digital accessibility expert; Colleen Sanders, Open Educational Resources and Course Materials Affordability faculty; and instructional designer Renee O’Neill. Since the ADA rule was finalized in April 2024, the trio has been studying the new standards and developing training resources. Camp attended InstructureCon, the national Canvas conference.
“Instructure is already making changes to prepare for these new requirements,” Camp said.
The first major milestone will come this fall, when staff in-service training will introduce faculty to the new expectations. LBCC plans a phased rollout: phase one will build awareness and provide training; phase two will ensure new course materials meet accessibility standards; and phase three will emphasize sustainability, using audits and monitoring tools to keep accessibility integrated across campus.
For faculty, the changes may seem daunting at first, but many already follow long-recommended best practices. To help, the college is providing practical tools, including the Ally checker built into Canvas, as well as Microsoft and Google’s accessibility checkers, Zoom’s captioning features, and browser extensions such as WAVE.
Faculty will also have access to syllabus and slide templates, along with examples of accessible documents. Crucially, Camp said, they will not be left to figure it out alone. The Dream Team and department heads will offer one-on-one support, while ongoing training will guide faculty step-by-step.
Camp emphasized that the main challenge is not the technology but the cultural shift — adopting accessibility practices and dispelling myths about who benefits from them. One common misconception is that captions only benefit students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
“A lot of folks, when I suggest things like captions and similar features, [say] well, I don't have anybody in my class who is deaf. Why do we need captions? Well,
captions are beneficial for a lot of people, for a variety of reasons,” Camp said.
Students with disabilities will benefit from captioned videos, alt text for images, better color contrast, dyslexiafriendly fonts, and more consistent course navigation. These updates also help many other learners: ESL students can use captions for language support, commuters can follow along in noisy environments, and visual learners can pair captions with video for deeper comprehension.
By embedding these practices into all digital content, Camp said, LBCC advances universal design — a learning environment where accessibility supports every student, not just those with registered accommodations.
Failing to meet the April 2027 deadline could have serious consequences. Non-compliance typically begins with a student or faculty complaint, which may escalate to an Office of Civil Rights investigation. Depending on the outcome, the college could face fines, binding corrective action orders, or, in the worst case, loss of federal funding, according to the Department of Justice.
To prevent this, LBCC will track compliance through regular audits, spot checks of courses, and monitoring accessibility errors flagged by tools such as Canvas Ally. Camp noted that instructors’ review of their own content is key, as careful revision ensures compliance.
The biggest hurdles may be practical rather than legal, Camp said, including faculty workload, resistance to changing long-standing habits, and the need for departmental resources. Camp acknowledged these pressures but underscores the Dream Team’s “hope to offer ample support to the faculty during the update.”
By embracing training, resources, and universal design, the college can set the standard for accessibility across Oregon’s community colleges.
At the same time, LBCC leaders see this as more than a compliance exercise. The ADA sets the floor, but by embracing universal design, the college can position itself as a statewide leader in digital equity.
The ADA update sets a new baseline for digital accessibility, but LBCC has an opportunity to see it as more than a legal mandate, Camp said. By embracing training, resources, and universal design, the college can set the standard for accessibility across Oregon’s community colleges.
Universal Design for Learning principles — providing multiple ways to engage, represent, and demonstrate understanding — ensure that accessibility benefits all learners, not just those with documented disabilities. As Camp emphasized, accommodations should not be feared; they are tools to enhance learning for everyone.
In the end, these updates are about more than compliance; they are an investment in clearer, more equitable, and more engaging education for every student on campus.
For more information:
“Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments.”
https://www.ada.gov/ resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/
Dionna Camp emphasized that the main challenge is not the technology but the cultural shift — adopting accessibility practices and dispelling myths about who benefits from them.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
Open Houses! Club & Info Tables! Canvas & SingleSign On Help! Fellow Roadrunners!
SCAVENGER HUNT!
Get ‘stamped’ at locations around campus and redeem 20 stamps for a chance to WIN tuition credits! Note the 5 required stamp locations. Turn in your completed Scavenger Hunt forms at the First Resort counter in Takena Hall.
Name:
Student ID#: Phone: E-mail:
At a glance:
Location: 411 SW 2nd St. in Corvallis
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon-4:30 p.m.
Main Exhibit: “Put a Bird on It! Finley, Feathers and Fashion”
Price: $5 entry fee. Free for museum members, LBCC and OSU students with a valid ID, youths 18 and under, anyone with an EBT card.
Phone: (541) 929-6230
Website: bentoncountymuseums.org/ visit/#corvallis
Email: education@bentoncountymuseums.org
▲ This mountain goat suit, located in the Peter & Rosalie Johnson Gallery, was used to blend in while hunting.
Expanding Curiosity and Community at the
CORVALLIS MUSEUM
The Corvallis Museum offers visitors an opportunity to expand their knowledge in a space where the care and appreciation for learning and preservation is felt immediately. From the beautiful modern architecture of the building itself, to the thoughtful presentation of the artifacts within it.
The museum is operated by the Benton County Historical Society, in tandem with their Philomath location, and is open between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon through 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The entry fee is $5 for nonmembers, and free for members, LBCC and OSU students with a valid ID, youths 18 and under, and anyone with an EBT card.
Museum tours are available by appointment only, and must be booked two weeks in advance via email.
Each display is carefully curated, featuring an eclectic array of art, oddities, and artifacts among the several exhibits on site, all of which come from the society’s collection of over 140,000 items.
Upon entry, visitors quickly notice the museum mascot, “Bruce the Moose,” standing front and center of the lobby, alongside a fossilised mastodon bone, whale scapula, and a toy tractor.
Just past the front desk and through the doorway on the left is the Fred and Mary Brauti Gallery, host of the museum’s temporary exhibits. Currently on display is “What Does the Fox Say?” a collaboration between the historical society and Independencebased artist Torin Widhammer. The interactive experience is intended for all ages, and explores the origins of various onomatopoeias around the world. The exhibit is on display until Oct. 26 2025.
Directly across from the doorway, through a brightly lit hallway lies the Collins Family education and event space, where various community events are held.
“Anyone can pay to rent the space,” said Executive Director Jessica Hougen. “We work with a lot of local nonprofits and offer them very reduced or sometimes free use of our space as well, because all nonprofits are struggling
right now and the more we can work together to lift each other up, the better it is for the whole community.”
The second story of the museum is where the majority of the permanent exhibits reside, such as “Benton County” and “A College Town,” which feature local treasures that were once displayed in Oregon State University’s Horner Museum, as a part of the Horner Collection.
These exhibits highlight the ways of life that built Benton County as it stands today. From the two-person chainsaw used for logging in the Coastal Range, to the bellbottom jeans which were handsewn as a colorful act of rebellion and self expression during the hippie movement.
The upper floor also houses another temporary exhibit in the Mary C. Verhoeven Gallery. “Put a Bird on It! Finley, Feathers and Fashion,” which explores intersections between the worlds of conservation and industry, all while showcasing some of the highest quality specimens that the Horner Collection has to offer. The exhibit is on display until Oct. 12.
After heading back downstairs, the museum gift shop makes for a perfect exit point, especially for those looking to snag a memento on the way out. It features an assortment of locally made art, jewelry, and books.
Among these is “Project 562,” a project by Seattle-based photographer Matika Wilbur, who sold everything she owned to travel the world living out of an RV in order to photograph 562 different federally recognized tribes. Starting this fall, the museum is set to feature some of Wilbur’s photographs.
Hougen emphasized her excitement for the collaboration. “She has photographed people from Grand Ronde and Siletz and Warm Springs, so there will be representation of Oregon tribes in the exhibit, and it's just amazing what her work has done. We’re really, really thrilled to be bringing her work here.”
Check out the current exhibits before it's too late, and keep your eyes peeled for the Project 562 exhibit.
words and photos by MARSHALL HAMEL
The Upper Floor of the Museum, where the "A College Town" exhibit is on display.
▲ A taxidermy cougar that once roamed the hills of Benton County, one of the Horner Collections best preserved specimens, on display as part of the "Benton County Exhibit".
Bell Bottom pants, Summit Oregon, 1971. Marjorie Posner Collection.
Kings, No Strings
WILKERSON
On June 14, many probably wondered why people lined the streets between Lebanon, Albany, Corvallis – and across the country.
The “No Kings” protest happened during the day of the U.S. Army parade in Washington, D.C., and on President Donald Trump's birthday. The protest opposed the policies and actions of the Trump administration.
The Lebanon event was organized by East Linn Indivisible. They joined in the protest in Lebanon as well as Albany. If you want to learn more about East Linn Indivisible, see their Facebook group.
At noon, the group of people there were less than 70. Within 30 minutes the headcount was 180. At 1:30 p.m., the headcount had swelled to 250. In a social media post, Linn County Democrats shared “Over 13 million in attendance across 2,300-plus No Kings protests nationwide.” This protest came in third for U.S. protests in recent years –exceeded by the George Floyd protests in 2020, and Earth Day in 1975.
During this event, less than 100 people between the two events seemed opposed to the primary message of the protesters. They yelled anything from “Let’s go Trump, Trump 2024” to profanities, or simply flipped everyone off or showed a thumbs down.
I spoke to Karen Schueller and Ruth Kish, both organizers of the event, along with Dorrie Board. Board was the safety person of the protest and was able to answer some questions.
interviews and photos by SKYLAR
What is your organization about?
Our chapter is a part of a national organization that is connected through Indivisible. In fact, right now there are No Kings rallies going on all over the United States, and even across the world in support of our movement. They also have organized and helped people, like giving them the tools to know how to organize safely and correctly. It's nice to be sponsored by them rather than just kind of going in cold, not knowing what to do. Plus, all the things are posted, where things are happening, when they're happening, steps to take, etc.
How do you feel about the counter protesters?
If somebody comes up and crosses the street to protest, we ignore them. It's their freedom of speech. If they get aggressive, that's why I'm here to de-escalate. If they don't de-escalate and they try to get violent, that's when we call the police. So we have a lot of protocol built in. Some people listen, some people don't.
Does the city of Lebanon know that you are here protesting?
Yes, the city knows and the police department. The police department is literally fine with this. They will be here if we need them. And it's been so far, so good though.
After talking with Board, I asked others if they were willing to give a statement on what was going on, many refused to comment. Some said, “Have fun and be safe!”
An individual from the Lebanon Police Department provided a statement: “Lebanon Police is aware and is monitoring the situation from afar for all individuals involved. When needed or requested, we will step in. Protesting is under our constitution as our First Amendment right for everyone on both sides.”
During the protest, I encountered one person who was counter-protesting. Jeff Surgeon was visiting his friends at a local barbeque competition. He was willing to do a short Q&A:
How do you feel about the protests across the road?
I mean, everybody's entitled to protest. As long as they do it peacefully, they're doing it peacefully. State your voice, don't destroy property, don't hurt cops, don't destroy property because you're mad at someone or something. Of course, we can all agree to disagree. That's why I'm just standing here. I actually am from Beaverton and came
down to watch my friends do a barbecue competition. They're from Washington, and I drove by this, and I'm like, I'm going to go watch this.
Are you for peaceful protests?
Yeah, I'm for peaceful protests. As long as they're not destroying stuff. I am a Trump person too. I voted for him three times. 2016, 2020, and this go around too. I'm also a Marine Corps veteran. There's people that are like, he's not for veterans. And I'm like, no, he does good things for veterans.
What would you say the turnout for people not supporting Trump is a lot?
I didn’t expect a lot of people to be out here today. Especially for a small town like Lebanon. I also am questioning how many of them are actually from Lebanon? How many of them came from Salem or Portland or some of the bigger cities? Just to spread the anti-Trump.
Do you expect more people to be on the side of the road counter protesting?
I think they're just not interested in starting a conflict. And neither am I. I'm just coming down here to watch, and see what's going on.
BARN OWL FLIES FREE
Osister-in-law found a barn owl trapped in barbed wire. Echols, known as @uncstan on Instagram and TikTok, rescued the owl and rushed him to Chintimini Wildlife Center, where he began a threemonth recovery.
“Seeing the barn owl clinging to the fence, clearly injured and weak, was absolutely heartbreaking,” Echols said. “But that feeling quickly shifted into urgency. I knew we had to get him down and to a professional right away. It felt like the faster we acted, the better chance he had to survive.”
When it comes to wildlife rehabilitation, speed is vital, which is why it is always best to call on professionals.
“If you should find any wildlife that appears injured, orphaned, or sick, give our wildlife hotline a call,” said Heather Gibbons, development coordinator at CWC. “Often our suggestion may be to observe before interfering, and we can best assess the
knowledge necessary to help wildlife while verifying humane boundaries are in place. These extra precautions, such as limiting talking and wearing surgical masks to be unidentifiable, keep animals from associating humans with food and safety.
While it is important for patients to feel comfortable and safe, it is essential that they do not get used to humans. When wildlife lacks a fear of people, it is a detriment to the safety of both the animal and humans.
Animals who are fed by the public or eat human food, are prone to aggression, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. An animal adjusted to this lifestyle will approach people expecting food. Humans often react in fear and may hurt the animal, causing an ever-escalating cycle. In some cases, this leads to an animal that cannot get food for themself, but who also associates people with danger, leading to hostility. Barn owls are indispensable across their entire range, especially in
Chintimini Wildlife Center saves TikTok famous “ barbed wire barn owl. ”
words by SID MYDLAND photos by CLAIRE PETERSON
▲ Lexie Echols at barn owl release.
farmlands. They are incredible pest control, especially for farmers. Each individual owl kills up to 1,000 mice annually, keeping them away from crops, basements, and more.
In this case, it is most likely that the patient was hunting when he ran into the barbed wire.
“Barn owls tend to be far-sighted, and focus on the prey they are chasing and may not see a wire in between them and the mouse until it is too late,” Gibbons said. “Often, owls will struggle against the wire and end up twisting it into their wings, which can damage important ligaments such as the major patagial ligament.”
As soon as the patient arrived, rehabbers got to work on his care plan. More substantial than the injury to his wing was his emaciation; they needed a way to safely get him back up to weight, “a slow progression from liquid diet, to soft solids (organ meats and such), then to full mice,” Gibbons said.
Along with his diet, they had to fix his wing. “The wound care consisted of
multiple surgeries to address the wounds on the front and back of the wing caused by the barbed wire, and a long time spent healing from those injuries.”
Finally, when the owl was able to get his wing wrap removed, he spent a few weeks in the larger flight enclosures at the facility. This way, he was able to work his strength up, so by release he could fly strongly and confidently.
Every species is different when it comes to signs for releasable condition, but with barn owls they made sure he had “silent flight, even and sustained length flight, ability to catch live prey, and ‘wild’ condition, i.e., not being too comfortable around humans,” said Gibbons.
Barn owls are silent predators who rely heavily on their hearing when hunting; in fact, they are so silent that no modern sound equipment can pick up the sound of their wings flapping. Loud wings may frighten off prey and leave him with a significant impairment.
On Aug. 18 this scrappy owl was released after a full recovery. He was let go close to where he was originally
2K
120 patients go through CWC rehab annually. about
1K an individual owl can kill up to mice per year. over volunteers donate 20,000 hours per year at CWC.
found. This is important to keep him from becoming disoriented. Echols was able to help with the release, saying how moving it was to see him fly free.
“I was amazed at the owl's resilience and at the work of the professionals and staff who cared for him. From seeing him for the first time in such a fragile state to flying again was an unforgettable moment that I was honored to be a part of. It's given me such appreciation for the people who do this kind of work every day. I am full of gratitude.”
Barbed wire is one of many human-imposed risks wildlife face daily. By using safe alternatives, people can make a tangible difference in the local environment. Farmers in Benton County who may not be able to afford these deterrents can apply for a grant to help pay for them. This program was started with lobbying from CWC.
Before this program, the rehab center was getting lots of intakes of bald eagles who had been shot. Bald eagles are opportunistic hunters, so when they see a good, easy supply of food, such as farm animals, they are likely to use the available resource. It is an inexpensive and easy option for farmers to shoot a threat to their livestock. Alternatives funded by the grant include fully covered coops, livestock guardians, alarms, and more.
This owl was just one of 2,0002,200 patients who go through CWC rehab annually. Sadly, not all of those end in success. Not every animal can be saved, but every one that is released is a testament to the work and dedication of their staff, interns, and volunteers.
If you would like to learn more about Chintimini, donate, or volunteer, check out their website chintiminiwildlife.org. If you find injured wildlife, call their hotline at (541) 745-5324.
Editor's Note: Sid Mydland is an education team intern/volunteer at Chintimini Wildlife Center. He works with the animal ambassadors but not with the hospital patients.
EUROPE on a tent string
How Camping Made My Summer Trip to Slovenia Affordable and Unforgettable
words and photos by BRENDA AUTRY
This summer I found myself with an unexpected chunk of free time and no trips planned to fill it. I usually spend my summers camping around the Pacific Northwest, but getting a camp site on short notice can be next to impossible.
There were so many incredible outdoor places in Europe that I wanted to explore in the summertime, but I was hesitant because summer in Europe is expensive and crowded — two things I hate when I travel.
Just for fun, I started searching for hotels in a few places I wanted to visit, and I was astounded at the prices. They were so far out of my budget.
I looked for housesits through TrustedHousesitters — a website similar to Airbnb that lets you stay in someone’s home in exchange for caring for it and their pets — but I was too late, and there were no desirable options left. And I’m really not a fan of hostels.
Then I had an idea: What if I went camping in Europe? I’d flown to other states with my gear for backpacking trips before. Could taking camping gear to Europe really be that much harder? And could I even find a campsite with availability?
I started searching, and within five minutes I had a camping reservation in Slovenia.
Why Slovenia?
Slovenia may not be the first place Americans think of for a European summer vacation, but it should be. This small country, tucked between Italy, Croatia and Austria, is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Nearly half of Slovenia is forest, and with the Julian Alps dominating the north, the scenery feels like a postcard at every turn.
With its crystal-clear alpine lakes, emerald rivers and gorges, Adriatic coastline, and endless trails for hiking and biking, Slovenia is full of outdoor activities I couldn’t wait to do! Paddle boarding on Lake Bled, hiking through the gorges of Triglav National Park, and wading in the Soča River were all on my to-do list.
I was also excited to wander Slovenia’s storybook villages, charming seaside towns, and the vibrant capital, Ljubljana, often called Europe’s prettiest capital. On top of that, Slovenia is home to one of the continent’s largest cave systems. Its most famous, Postojna Cave, includes an electric train ride deep into the caverns, and nearby, Predjama Castle is built dramatically into a cave itself.
Unlike many of its neighbors, Slovenia still feels refreshingly uncrowded. The country welcomes between 6 and 7 million visitors each year—modest compared with Italy’s 70 million or Austria’s 45 million. Only about 11% are Americans, giving it an authentic European feel.
With so much to offer, it’s hard to believe Slovenia is still relatively undiscovered!
Camping in Europe
Europeans love camping, and I could easily see why! The campground I chose, River Camping Bled, was incredible! It had several large immaculately clean bathhouses with private hot showers. You could even reserve a private bathroom for your entire stay! There were also two pools, a game area with billiards and foosball, a laundry facility, huge dishwashing stations, a restaurant and a bakery—all well maintained and efficiently run. Despite being fully booked, I never had to wait for a shower or felt overcrowded.
The only downside I found to camping in Europe is a lack of privacy. Campsites are very close together, without even a bush to separate you from your neighbors. For those of us with larger personal space bubbles, it can feel a little unnerving. But honestly, I was never bothered by my neighbors, and it was the quietest campground I’ve ever slept in. They even closed the gates to cars after 10 p.m. so no one was disturbed by engines or headlights.
The location was also convenient. The campground was a 20-minute walk—or a free five-minute bus ride— from the town of Bled. From there, you could connect by bus to just about anywhere else in the country.
But the best part was the price. For my seven-night stay, I paid just $260— about the same as one night in a hotel.
Packing for a Camping Trip Abroad
Camping is nothing new for me. I usually toss my gear in the car and head out on trips across the Pacific Northwest. But Slovenia was different—I had to figure out how to get all my camping gear across the ocean in a suitcase (or two). It was a balancing act between my lightweight backpacking setup and my more comfortable car-camping setup.
Here’s what I brought:
Tent: I opted for a larger four-person cabin-style tent. I didn’t want to be crammed into my backpacking tent with all my luggage all week for a week.
Air mattress: I hate sleeping on the ground, so I brought a thick twin size air mattress and a small electric pump to inflate it up.
Bedding: I packed three blankets, two pillows and a sheet into two vacuumseal compression bags I bought on Amazon—they worked perfectly.
Jetboil: A small backpacking stove. (I didn’t end up using this because I couldn’t find the right fuel for it).
My Takeaways
Chair: My Helinox backpacking chair, which takes up less room than an umbrella and weighs under a pound.
Lantern: A small backpacking size lantern.
Power Banks: I brought three power banks to charge my electronics. I plugged them into my rental car while I was driving to recharge.
Towel: A quick-drying microfiber towel to use for the pool and showers.
I was able to fit all my camping gear, plus all the other essentials I’d normally pack into two checked bags: a large rolling suitcase and a large duffle bag.
Camping in Slovenia opened my eyes to a whole new way to explore Europe in the summer—comfortable, affordable, and close to everything I wanted to see and do. It really wasn’t that much different than staying in a hotel. The only real difference was at night I slept in a tent instead of a room.
Slovenia was the perfect first stop, but it won’t be the last. Italy, Austria, Germany—and who knows where else—will be on my tent-friendly summer map from now on.
Check out Bounty Section for Bounties
ThymeGarden
Herbal Hideaway in the Forest
SILVA
The asphalt in Corvallis rushed towards 120 degrees as intense sun reflected bright heat off of the sidewalk. A group of mostly women approaching their late 70’s situated ourselves in a small minibus at the Corvallis Community Center. Bound for the Alsea Highway, they wound their way through the dairy fields of OSU with the barns in sight.
Moving through the edge of town, the temperature slowly dropped. Surrounded by oak and Doug fir, they became increasingly sheltered from the hot sun by forest land. Scars from clear cutting created a jarring interruption and they saw more and more gentle riparian habitat peeking through the trees. After half an hour, they made a left turn into a little paradise.
Up a small driveway, emerging from the forest itself, is a large herb garden, greenhouse and shop to the left. On the right, they pulled into a parking area and a series of tables, set for a catered luncheon, blended in with the forest just beyond the kitchen and bathrooms. They had arrived at a beautiful forest jewel, The Thyme Garden.
In 1989, Rolfe and Janet Hagen sold their restaurant and bought this Coast Range 80acre farm in the forest. Three generations are involved in the farm, with the “kids” taking over just two years ago. Two sisters of the family took the group on an extensive tour, prepared a delicious switchel (honey, infused vinegar, sparkling water), guided the group through their own herbal vinegar creation and prepared a beautiful luncheon.
With seed harvesting beginning in midAugust, they were the last lucky garden visitors for the season. A half dozen species of native bees industriously moved from bed to bed of plants, collecting pollen and doing the work we need them to do.
Alongside the garden, a creek flows through the property. The creek is being restored to salmon habitat. After wandering a bit and photographing as much water and bees as could possibly be crammed into the allotted time, I moved back to the group for a tasty switchel made with basil vinegar and local honey.
words and photos by RENEE
The group, as others booked for the day, moved to a table laid beautifully with herbs from the garden and proceeded to make their own vinegars. A variety of herbs and vinegars were available. I created a red wine vinegar for courage with watery, yet gently spicy and peppery herbs.
After our crafty endeavor, we enjoyed a wonderful luncheon starting with plant-infused drinks, freshly baked bread and three spreads. Vegetarian, allergen-free, and vegan options were made available with advance notice. With three kinds of bread, including a fresh-baked glutenfree cornbread, I could barely stop for my utterly gorgeous salad.
Prepared with Gathering Farms greens, herbs, and flowers from the garden, the salad also had three housemade fresh dressings to choose from, which meant drizzling the various tastes like Neopolitan ice cream so as to try each one.
Our main dish was served, again filled with beautiful fresh herbs. Vegetarians were served an herb-stuffed portobello while others had rosemary chicken from a wood grill. Lavender plum kuchen or a gluten-free plum sorbet with gluten-free shortbread finished the meal with dessert.
Though utterly full, most of the group walked off a bit of our meal and purchased bread, plants, seeds, and herbal products to take home. Barely able to fit back into my seatbelt, I said goodbye to this forest farm playground.
I will be back, perhaps as soon as the upcoming Fall Salmon Celebration Nov. 7-16.
At a Glance:
The Thyme Garden 20546 Alsea Highway Alsea, OR 97324
541-487-8671
www.thymegarden.com
Mid-Williamette Valley Food Trail
www.willamettevalley.org
Resources for regenerative travel in the Willamette Valley
Corvallis Parks and Recreation
www.corvallisoregon.gov
Corvallis Community Center for inclusive trips including scholarship funds
Scholarship funds and registration for fall and winter are available now
pesto pizza monthly meals
30 min. serves 4
As college students, many are familiar with the busy schedules that come with taking classes. This can make planning dinner for yourself or your family a bit stressful. Sometimes you just need something easy (but delicious.) If you’re looking for some dinner inspiration, try out this pesto pizza recipe!
15 oz. grape tomatoes
2 garlic cloves
1 lb. frozen pizza dough, thawed
1 tbsp. olive oil
⅓ cup pesto
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Preheat your oven to 450°F.
2. On a cutting board cut your tomatoes in half and mince your garlic.
3. Next stretch out your thawed pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Once you’ve stretched the dough to about a 16-inch circle, transfer the dough to a pizza stone or sheet pan.
4. Drizzle the dough with olive oil and spread the minced garlic across.
5. Next spread the pesto and place tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then finish with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
6. Bake the pizza in your preheated oven until the bottom is crispy and cheese is slightly browned. Around 15 minutes, depending on your oven. Let the pizza cool for about 5 minutes before cutting.
Source: One Pan, Whole Family by Carla Snyder
Goodbye 2025 Grads
Last spring many students completed their education at Linn-Benton. In these photos you can see the joy many felt on graduation day. While it is sad to say goodbye to friendly faces, we are happy to wish them luck on their way to new adventures.
photos by BRENDA AUTRY
A New Point of View
Up in the watchtower, gleamed a light
Reflecting off the windows, during the night
In the distance, the flickers were bright
The trees silhouetted, in its height
In the background, was quite the sight
A raging fire, and it showed its might
The will of God, will always be true
We don’t always understand, what else is new?
The judgment was swift, and long overdue
The forest fell, all that we knew
In the wreckage, only ash and dust
Then comes a flash, and then a rush
The rains came down, and brought a new day
Then it washed, all the pain away
In the valley, the dead trees fumed
Giant pines, all were consumed
When in the dirt, came speckles of green
They grew and grew, and made a new scene
In the valley, the dead pines still loomed
But everything changed, and began to bloom
Everything we knew, is long since gone
But these things happen, we all need to move on
God takes our hand, and shapes our view
What was once bad, is now made a-new
Mightier
Forged in the fiery flames of a furnace
A thirsting thicket of thorns
It drinks the blood of countless men
A ceaseless hunger to never end
The blade bleeds its victim’s blood
The sword remembers the slain.
Plucked from the finest waterfowl
Shaved into the perfect shape
Drenched in ink so dark
Its marks make men move
Wars have been waged
Lives have been lost
Patient pen, when you are used purposefully,
You cut as deep, though not the same.
Cool Summer Nights
In the blues and greens of day I ponder
In the reds and yellows of sunset you wander
We’re both dreaming of a person we haven’t met
Careful not to idealize who the other would be like and fret
In the hot summer days we wish to share innocent love One of handholding and brief kisses, God only knows above
We yearn for simple smiles, and for our hearts to skip beats Courage and confidence, but shyness too in our meets
In the cool summer night
With crickets and dying daylight
We skip and run in the green fields
Past the lakes and train track yields
Little giggles and pure smiles
That's what we dream for in the meanwhile
Until we meet we make this vow
We both aren’t perfect
But we’ll try anyhow
For innocent love
For nervous glances
For the memories to come
For first and second chances
- Cooper Madison-Dawson
- Cooper Madison-Dawson
- Cooper Madison-Dawson
Meaning, Madness, and Poets
I’m always searching for the right words
Words that open doors
Open hearts
Open minds
Unlock opportunities
And in this, I am not so different from you
I long to heal the future from scars I’ve witnessed flashing behind the eyes of children
To pull back the unknown and reveal truth and beauty, ever present
With the right words
We erase fear
Reconnect
And build something worthy of speaking.
I can pull the sun out of my back pocket, and shelter the broken with warmth that cannot be taken away I can sustain hopes that nearly died, nurse them into passion, then watch them change the world
They say poetry is complicated, it’s for the others, not for me
Words heal and shape the world
How can they not be for you?
They build dreams, make plans, and they don’t fit into boxes
They dance, eternally bending themselves into new forms, desperate to give definition
Even when they know they can never be enough.
How is this exclusionary, this act of wild offering?
We are invited to exchange possibilities and adjectives daily
So, when the right words visit me, I write them down
They may call me a poet, but,
Poetry is for everyone
Who still longs to play
To heal
To shift and grow and change
To learn and bend and break
To feel
When bitter winds blow in, and your heart has calcified
To weep
When wars are raging,
When there is little else that we can do
There is a poem for every moment
And right now,
Even if you don’t know it
One is living inside of you
I hope you search out the words
That you travel far and wide to find them, out amongst the vastness of this world, waiting for you to discover them
That you allow them toss and turnabout, while they settle down
May they lend themselves to you in pursuit
May they blossom and bring forth bounty, even when the rains are endless
May they ride across the ocean in storm, and arrive upon your shore to find you ready
Poetry is for everyone
No matter what they told you
Everyone who reads this will at one point, fall down
The right words can carry you, deliver back your throne and crown
I hope that when the right words visit, you remember this -
Write them down.
- Morgan Ward
comic by JESUS SANDOVAL-URIBE
puzzles
crossword
across
01. Hit the slopes
04. Seized quickly, as an opportunity
11. Banned crop spray
14. Biblical place with no room
15. "You can come out now"
16. Poetic "above"
17. Furniture near a couch
19. "Are ___ pair?" ("Send in the Clowns" lyric)
20. Seat beside a milk bucket
21. "___ most certainly did not!"
22. Linguistic links
23. Shylock's revenge in "Merchant of Venice"
27. Clairvoyance, for short
30. Send flowers and chocolates, say
31. ___ way around (knows how to avoid)
32. Eliza Doolittle's creator
34. "Casual" work day: Abbr
36. "Café" cup
39. Desert plant that flowers in winter
43. Commandment verb
44. "Z'okay, I guess"
45. Snaky swimmers
46. Latches (onto)
49. Dipstick holder's item
51. Word on the street, in Québec?
52. Pit for mining statue stone
56. "Dies" follower in a "Requiem" hymn
57. Hose wearer's woe
58. Board combining the French and German for 69-Across
62. Pouter's protrusion
63. Cone peddler who may literally pedal cones
66. Driving speed meas.
67. Gives a hand
68. Rand who wrote "Atlas Shrugged"
69. "You called?"
70. Joan of Arc's home city
71. ___ Approved (safe to buy)
sudoku
down
01. Commands to attack, with "on"
02. Macramé cluster
03. News brief?
04. Stay off the radar
05. "Saison" in the sun
06. Halifax clock setting: Abbr.
07. "Mind your ___ Qs"
08. Verboten acts
09. Words after spice or slice
10. Maiden name lead-in
11. Maritime dweller, informally 12. Good ones merit Boy Scout badges
13. Dis passionately
18. Fashion-obsessed fellow
22. ___-Lorraine (French region)
24. Hogtown campus, for short 25. "Cheers" regular
26. Greek pizza cheese
27. Exit-large-screen keys
28. "Keep it down!!"
29. New ones are indented, often 33. Doris Day refrain, with "whatever"
35. "___ Canadian!" (Molson slogan, once)
37. Helmsman of "Star Trek"
38. "To be," to Brutus
40. Small runway plane acronym
41. Doris Day refrain, with "que"
42. Start to broil?
47. Comedian Rick with a rant
48. Sound like a pig
50. Reacts to a bad pun
52. Galaxy word with "Way"
53. Live to ___ old age
54. Fiction's Buck, Tom or Remus
55. "Delicious!"
59. Computer that comes in colours
60. Canada's baseball pros, casually
61. Tolstoy's Karenina
63. Bachelor's last words
64. Cape Town's ctry.
65. Hamburger's article
"This One's a Cakewalk" by Barb Olson
