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WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM | PAGE 7 Autumn in Arkansas: 7 activities to try this fall

BY MACKENZIE HALL

Staff Writer

As the nights get cooler and the days get shorter, we bid goodbye to summer and say hello to fall. This season is marked with autumn leaves, sweatshirts, crackling fires and pumpkin spice, and as the season turns the colors into orange and red, it becomes the perfect time to embrace the beauty of the Natural State. Here’s how to welcome the new season with seven activities that follow COVID guidelines.

1. Take a scenic drive with your suitemates.

As the fall foliage starts to appear, take a day trip and make the trek up Highway 7 through the Ouachita Forest to Russellville. Enjoy the two and a half hour drive that cuts through Hot Springs and admire the vibrant colors of fall.

2. Take a hike at Lake Catherine State Park. BY CAROLINE DERBY

Ad Coordinator

The 2020 presidential election is less than a month away, and many college students are gearing up for what will probably be their first time voting in a national election.

College Republicans, Young Democrats, Student Senate and the Multicultural Students Program came together last Tuesday to provide a way for Ouachita students to learn more about voting and elections by hosting a “Let’s Vote, Set the Trend” student panel.

Representatives from the host organizations provided a voter registration table for attendees. They also spoke and answered audience questions, as well

Lake Catherine in Hot Springs has four hiking trails with beautiful views. For a short and quick hike, the Falls Branch Trail is a two mile round trip with views of rolling waterfalls. For a longer hike, take the four and a half mile Dam Mountain Trail with towering pines and rolling cascades. For an afterhike snack, head to downtown Hot Springs for a warm, homemade cinnamon roll at Will’s Cinnamon Shop.

3. Visit a pumpkin patch.

Drive up to Motley’s Pumpkin Patch in Little Rock for an assortment of pumpkins, mums and gourds. While you’re there, enjoy homemade fudge and watch the pig races.

4. Ride a bike on Feaster Trail.

Rent a mountain bike and helmet from the Rec Center for $3 and peddle down Feaster Trail. The trail starts by Cliff Harris Stadium and goes for two and a half miles. For a post-ride treat, stop by as questions from the panel’s facilitator, Special Assistant to the President Dr. Lewis Shepherd.

“In two days of having the voter registration table, 30 voter registration forms were completely filled out,” Shepherd said. “Thirty more people are now registered to vote because of those tables.”

With the heightened media coverage of the upcoming election, the voting panel covered questions such as, “How much does the college-age vote actually matter?” and “Why should we vote?”

“The number of eligible voters that did not vote in the last election was huge,” Young Democrats president Madi Rawls said. “For a lot of our age group, this will be our first time voting in the

The DeSoto Bluff overlooks the Ouachita River. The trail starts by N. 10th St. and weaves into the woods before opening onto the actual bluff. (photo by Caity Hatchett)

Samantha’s Sweets for a Fall Spirit Latte.

5. Go camping at Degray Lake.

Pitch a tent at Degray Lake State Park for the weekend. The Rec Center offers tents and other camping equipment rentals, and the state park has lots of amenities presidential election. Particularly with our generation, we are one that is forward with our opinions and speaking up for what we think is right. It’s time to do that when it comes to voting.”

College Republicans Chair Madison McGhee hopes that by having this panel, college students are encouraged to use their voice and go to the polls and vote.

“I believe it is so important for our age group to vote. Voting will determine our nation’s future,” McGhee said. “Most college students will go into real adulthood after college and government decisions will affect them.”

In addition to answering questions, the panel provided practical solutions to becoming including trails, horseback riding and a golf course. Cozy up by a campfire and roast a s’more.

6. Attend Taste of the Fair in Little Rock.

This year the Arkansas State Fair was cancelled because of the pandemic. To continue its an educated voter. Although social media is a way to stay informed about current events, the audience was encouraged to fact check what they saw online.

The panel also encouraged voters to do research about topics and to develop personal opinions regarding current issues. Staying informed and up to date on current events allows voters to have a better understanding of who they are voting for, as well as the policies that current candidates want to implement in the government.

Although the main focus was voting in the presidential election, the panel also provided insight on how important it is to vote in local elections.

“National elections are tradition, the fair is offering a three day event where attendees can eat their favorite fair food. From Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, the Arkansas State Fair Complex will host nine food vendors. You can look forward to corn dogs, deep fried oreos, funnel cakes, iced tea and kettle corn.

7. Visit Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro.

Crater of Diamonds is one of the few places that the public can dig for diamonds and keep them. For $10, you can shovel through the 37-acre field for rocks, gemstones and minerals. Come prepared with your own shovel, or search for rocks on top of the ground. Tickets can be purchased online at www. arkansasstateparks.com/parks/ crater-diamonds-state-park.

So, go enjoy this new season. Get out in nature, try something different and celebrate the beauty of Arkansas. Wear your masks, wash your hands and social distance. But

Exercise your right: Voting in 2020 is essential

remember to have fun, too! extremely important, and your vote does matter in those elections. Your vote matters in local elections as well,” Shepherd said. “In local elections, your vote could be the difference between something like having trash picked up twice a week or once a week.”

The presidential election will be held on Nov. 3. Although voter registration has closed for Arkansas residents, it is still important to register for future elections. Out of state students can also register for absentee ballots. It’s important that we make it to the polls-- in one way or another-- on election day. This event was an excellent learning resource for students to gain awareness about the importance of exercising their