April 14, 2022

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022

Lancaster Festival expects huge turnout PG 5 A look at hazing in Ohio PG 12-13 Your next Southeast Ohio getaway PG 20

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Celebrate, experience stories from throughout our region

ABBY MILLER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The end of Spring Semester signifies a stressful period of taking final exams, moving out and saying goodbye to fellow Bobcats.

However, by this time, the end of the year also means something else for Ohio University students: Most underclassmen have developed a deeper understanding of Southeast Ohio, and some may begin to associate the area with home.

While OU is known for its gorgeous campus, the beauty in Athens County isn’t confined to our college town. Attractions such as Strouds Run State Park, the Baileys Trail System and more offer opportunities to get out of one’s dorm room and into the scenic beauty that Athens has to offer.

But we also know it can be difficult for some individuals to explore Athens County and beyond. And, as we reported in our first annual edition of Beyond the Bubble, news deserts and a lack of broadband can make it even more difficult to obtain news in the area for both students and residents. Our Beyond the Bubble issue serves as a way to showcase important stories throughout the region of Southeast Ohio and expand upon our normal area of coverage.

Last year, because of the pandemic, our Beyond the Bubble issue was broadened to

include reporters’ hometowns, as many on The Post’s staff worked from home. Now, with all of our staff back on campus, we’ve refocused this special issue to feature stories across Appalachian Ohio.

The Appalachian Regional Commission, or ARC, serves 32 counties throughout Ohio, including Athens and other neighboring counties. Some of those counties, including Fairfield, Muskingum and Hocking, are featured in our Beyond the Bubble content.

In this year’s edition of Beyond the Bubble, you can read about an alpaca farm in Zanesville, the lineup for the 37th annual Lancaster Festival, commentary on the Ohio redistricting process and more. We hope these stories encourage students and readers to get out of the “bubble” of Uptown Athens and seek out information and experiences they wouldn’t normally have on our college campus.

Too often, Appalachia is reduced to stereotypes in the meager stories national outlets write about the region. The people of Appalachia deserve more than what is given to them in parachute journalism, and their stories should be celebrated — and not just when a hometown hero has made it big or a pivotal election is taking place. To every OU student, I encourage you: Before you gradu-

ate or leave Athens for the summer, don’t just read one of our Beyond the Bubble stories to learn more about this region. Truly get out of the bubble and take in the splendor of Southeast Ohio while you still can.

Abby Miller is a senior studying journalism and political science at Ohio University and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Have questions? Email Abby at am166317@ohio.edu or tweet her @abblawrence.

COVER ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Abby Miller MANAGING EDITOR Bre Offenberger DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Geiger EDITORIAL NEWS EDITORS Emma Skidmore, Ryan Maxin ASST. NEWS EDITOR Molly Wilson PROJECTS EDITOR Taylor Burnette SPORTS EDITOR Jack Gleckler ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Ashley Beach CULTURE EDITOR Riley Runnells ASST. CULTURE EDITOR Kayla Bennett OPINION EDITOR Mikayla Rochelle ASST. OPINION EDITOR Hannah Campbell THE BEAT EDITOR Madyson Lewellyn ASST. THE BEAT EDITOR Emma Dollenmayer COPY CHIEF Anna Garnai SLOT EDITORS Anastasia Carter, Will Cunningham, Bekah Bostick, Isabel Nissley ART ART DIRECTOR Olivia Juenger ASST. ART DIRECTOR Trevor Brighton DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Nate Swanson PHOTO EDITOR Jesse Jarrold-Grapes DIGITAL WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Brianna Lender AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Jack Hiltner ASST. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Claire Schiopota DIRECTOR OF MULTIMEDIA Noah DeSantis BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Andrea Lewis MEDIA SALES Grace Vannan 2 / APRIL 14, 2022

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Understanding Poverty in Appalachian Ohio MAYA MORITA FOR THE POST Counties in Appalachian Ohio have some of the highest poverty rates within the state.

The region encompasses over 30 counties in Ohio, including Athens County and surrounding counties.

According to research conducted by the Appalachian Regional Commission, as of 2019, Appalachian Ohio has a poverty rate of 14%. The entirety of the state has a poverty rate of about 12%, according to 2020 U.S. census data estimates.

With an estimated poverty rate of 22%, there may be a misconception that Athens County has the highest poverty rate within the state of Ohio.

In comparison to other counties in the area, Athens County has one differentiating cause for its rate of poverty.

The U.S. census, which takes place every 10 years to collect demographic information on all U.S. citizens and most recently occurred in 2020, included OU students who mainly reside in Athens.

Because of that, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said OU students are a main factor in the rate of poverty within Athens County.

“I … feel that we have a large population of individuals who aren’t working, and like I said, Ohio University students, I mean, your main job is to study and get your degree,” Patterson said. “Now, again, I know

that a lot of students have part time jobs or whatever, but that certainly, under the census statistics, shows up as having an impact on the county’s poverty rate.”

Despite Athens’ unconventional population demographics, many surrounding counties have similar or higher poverty rates. Patterson said counties such as Athens, Meigs and Vinton are considered economically distressed places in Ohio.

Lora Rawson, the executive director for Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency, said 2021 data suggests Meigs County has a poverty rate of almost 35%. Rawson said there are a multitude of factors contributing to that percentage.

“In Meigs County, just over 17% have a bachelor’s degree,” Rawson said. “So I think education would be a factor, not having a higher education degree.”

Additionally, Rawson said lack of public transportation, drug usage and unaffordable childcare also contribute to the poverty rate within Meigs County.

Char Brown, the director for the Adams County Shelter for the Homeless, said Adams County is considered the 13th most impoverished county in the U.S. “We have probably 500 upwards of homeless people in our county,” Brown said. “You don’t see them. You don’t know they’re homeless. Because they look like you and I, they dress nicely, but they don’t have a home.”

Megan Sowers, the executive director of the Jackson-Vinton Community Action

Agency, said Vinton County has a poverty rate of 19%. Sowers said poverty can have multiple meanings and be expressed in several different ways.

“Poverty has many faces and can be experienced in different degrees; it can be temporary or generational,” Sowers said in an email. “Poverty can refer to people who are unemployed, disabled, elderly on fixed incomes, or hard working people who just can’t make ends meet.”

While job insecurity’s contribution to poverty rates is not new, the decline in job opportunities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has created an influx in poverty rates.

Throughout the pandemic, the U.S. government has offered financial aid opportunities to those in need through stimulus checks and unemployment benefits.

Brown said even that money has caused more harm than good to impoverished communities.

“I think COVID played a bigger part in making more poverty because (the government) handed out money after money and a lot of people just wasted it,” Brown said. “So they didn’t pay rent, so they spent the money on stuff. So now they’re in a big pickle because they’re being evicted.”

Athens and surrounding counties have similar job and transportation-related causes that factor into their poverty rates.

Although certain Appalachian counties are facing high levels of poverty, there are a plethora of services available to those in

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need.

The Meigs-Gallia Community Action Agency provides assistance on rental and utility costs, amongst other services.

“We have home weatherization assistance programs, which help to install energy efficiency measures to reduce the energy burden for home owners or so that cost comes down and it leaves more money for other necessary items,” Rawson said.

Similarly, Sowers said the Jackson-Vinton Community Action Agency provides transportation services in addition to financial assistance for utilities and childhood education. And the Adams County Shelter for the Homeless provides limited-time housing for those in need.

While staying in the shelter, visitors must search for a job and for housing outside of the shelter.

Though Athens County has one of the highest poverty rates within the state of Ohio, it and surrounding counties deal with unfair characterizations of its citizens.

“We are considered Appalachia,” Brown said. “So the stigma here is that Appalachian people are all lazy. That’s not true.

Everybody is lazy if they don’t want to work or take care of their family and that can come from the highest level of finances to the very lowest of finances.”

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NEWS BRIEFS

Sexual battery reported in Tanaka, GSS opposes ‘don’t say gay’ bill MOLLY WILSON ASST. NEWS EDITOR

The job responsibilities also include assisting Eliason with other duties, such as answering calls, attending Council meetings and reviewing ordinances and contracts.

Sexual Battery in Tanaka Hall On Friday, the Ohio University Police Department reported a sexual battery that occurred in Tanaka Hall, located on South Green, on Wednesday.

The survivor of the incident reported unwanted sexual contact between them and a suspect who they know, according to the police report.

The report also said the survivor’s control was “impaired.”

The position would pay $36.06 per hour, or a yearly rate of around $75,000. The chief city prosecutor makes about $9,000 more than that per year, and Eliason earns about $3,000 more.

Eliason said she already has a candidate in mind to fill the positions. She said the candidate has worked in the office, but is waiting to release their name until Council passes the ordinance.

Athens City Council to consider new position in Law Department To assist Lisa Eliason, the city law director, with her workload, the Athens City Council is considering passing an ordinance that would change the title of the vacant prosecutor position to “assistant law director/part-time prosecutor.”

Currently, the Law Department employs three prosecutors who only prosecute criminal cases in Athens. Eliason handles civil cases and oversees those prosecutors.

The ordinance is up for third reading April 17, and if it passes, the candidate who fills the position would help with those civil cases and appellate cases. They would also be responsible for prosecuting 20% of criminal cases.

GSS opposes ‘don’t say gay’ bill Ohio University Graduate Student Senate met Tuesday and discussed a resolution that would oppose Ohio House Bill 616, which would prohibit public and some private schools from teaching materials about sexual orientation and gender identity from Kindergarten through third grade.

Leticia Price, women’s affairs commissioner, said there is no evidence that teaching young children about those policies would present any harm to them. Price also said it is important for GSS to oppose the bill, otherwise known as the “don’t say gay” bill because it attempts to remove important and diverse conversation from K-12 schools.

Jason Dreher, a GSS representative from the department

of chemistry and biochemistry, said he was against the body’s resolution. He said those conversations should not be had with young children and at the very least, should be had with a parent or guardian outside of the classroom.

Rape from 2020 reported to OUPD On Wednesday, OUPD reported a rape that occurred in 2020 in Biddle Hall, located on East Green.

The survivor of the incident said they knew the suspect.

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POLICE BLOTTER

Man sitting in street, semi hit-and-run KENDALL WRIGHT FOR THE POST A ghost Deputies from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a man sitting in Glen Ebon Road, in Nelsonville.

When deputies arrived, they did not find the described man.

You didn’t see that Sheriff’s office deputies responded to State Route 13 in Millfield in reference to a hit-skip report.

The caller said a semi pulled into their lot to turn around, and while doing so, hit a vehicle and left the scene. This event is under investigation.

Sound the alarm Sheriff’s office deputies responded to a business alarm activation on North Plains Road, in The Plains.

Deputies checked the building and did not find anything.

Talk it out A man filed a report in regards to another man in possession of his vehicle.

The vehicle was returned to the owner after arrange4 / APRIL 14, 2022

ments were made.

Bring me my money Deputies received a call in reference to stolen credit cards in Shade Road, Athens.

While deputies were on their way, the complainant called back and said they no longer wanted to speak with deputies. No further action was taken.

Tractor tipping Sheriff’s office deputies responded to Scott Road, New Marshfield, in regards to a stolen tractor.

This case is under investigation.

‘Chill out, man’ Sheriff’s office deputies took a report of a vehicle that was kicked during a dispute.

Deputies are currently awaiting possible video evidence from the caller.

Lost Gun Sheriff’s office deputies received a report of a lost handgun in The Plains. The caller found the handgun and told deputies it was just misplaced.

Deputies spoke with the caller about safe handling and weapon storage, as well as the consequences for failing to do so.

Dirt bikes are for dirt Deputies responded to Jacksonville in reference to a juvenile riding their dirt bike on the street.

After contact was made and there was a brief discussion, deputies returned to patrol.

Keep out Sheriff’s office deputies responded to Salem Road, in Athens, on report of a man trespassing on the complainant’s property after previously being served with a trespass warning.

When the suspect was detained, he became resistant and was then arrested and charged with Criminal Trespass and Resisting Arrest.

Disrupting Deer Deputies were on patrol on U.S. 50, near the Guysville Marathon, when they saw two deer that were obstructing the roadway.

The unit removed the deer from the road, and no further action was needed.

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Lancaster Festival’s headlining acts revealed, record-breaking attendance expected ADDIE HEDGES FOR THE POST The 37th annual Lancaster Festival will take place July 21-30 and is set to host musicians Lady A, Rick Springfield, an Elton John tribute band and more than 60 other events during the 10-day celebration.

Rick Springfield, known for his hit song “Jessie’s Girl,” will perform Saturday, July 23; the Elton John Tribute band, led

by Elton Rohn, will perform Wednesday, July 27; and Lady A will act as the festival’s “grand finale” Saturday, July 30.

The festival’s headlining performances will take place at the Wendel Concert Stage, an outdoor amphitheater behind Ohio University’s Lancaster campus. Other events such as the Lancaster Festival Orchestra’s opening night performance and four “Cafe Concerts” will take place at St. Mary’s Church and the Cheers Chalet in Lancaster, respectively.

The full schedule for the festival has been released, and tickets are available to be purchased through the Lancaster Festival’s website. There are a total of 70 events, only 14 of which require tickets.

Ticket pricings vary, but adults can attend the concerts for no more than $45.

Following past year’s modified versions of the festival due to COVID-19, this year’s festival has garnered a higher level of excitement from the community, Deb Connell, executive director of the Lancaster Festival, said.

“There is definitely an electricity in the air surrounding this year’s festival that we haven’t felt before,” Connell said. “Part of that I do think is just because people are really excited to be together again. The restrictions that we’ve had on us have been lifted. We were able to do performances indoors again … but I think that coupled with this elevated level of talent that we’re bringing in is just making it electric around here.”

The festival’s board of directors is anticipating sold-out shows and an overwhelming amount of support for this year’s headlining performers. To afford acts like Lady A and Rick Springfield, the board increased its spending budget.

“We were able to reach out to artists that not only were a great fit for the festival but were at a higher level as far as fees,” Connell said. “We’ve done that through some very careful budgeting over the past couple of years, and we thought, with being able to bring back a full festival post-pandemic, that this was the best year for us to step forward on our artistic selection.”

The festival’s budget consists of profits from past years’ festivals and donations from individual donors and local and national businesses, Connell said.

One of the local donors is the Cameo League, established in 1985, which has donated thousands of dollars to the Lancaster Festival. Due-paying members work to sponsor fundraisers like The Queen of the Lake fundraiser, which was a one-night excursion on Buckeye Lake in September.

Members of the Cameo League also act as host families for visiting musicians, former Cameo League president, Lynn Barboza, said. There are typically 25 host families each year.

and has enjoyed seeing the changes each year brings.

“People come from all over the country, and they come for these two weeks,” Barboza said. “Hosting is lovely. You get to know these guys. They have their own parties with the musicians … We have a brunch with all of them … It makes it really nice for them to have a place to go to get to practices easy.”

“It’s amazing to me how (the festival) has grown over the years,” Roush said. “The interest is there, and it’s gotten bigger and bigger. Now, we need to get younger people involved but … (current volunteers) will do their best. It’ll be a zoo, and the sheer cost of the two artists that are so big, I just feel like, ‘OK, we better be prepared.’”

Aside from volunteering as hosts, Lancaster community members are also able to help by volunteering as Lancaster Festival staff. This year, there are about 400 volunteers, Connell said.

Ron Camilleri, also known as Elton Rohn of the Elton John tribute band from Toronto, Canada, is excited to perform for the first time in Ohio this summer, after originally booking the performance in Lancaster two years ago. Border-crossing restrictions due to COVID-19 prevented the band from performing at last year’s festival, Camilleri said.

“We cannot do what we do without them. They are the true rock stars of the Lancaster Festival,” Connell said. “Other communities can’t get a festival like this off the ground because they don’t have the volunteers in their community like we have here.”

Many of the volunteers return year after year to help plan and organize the festivals’ events. Susan Roush started volunteering in 2015 after she retired

“There’s nothing more exciting for us than to be able to go into a new place where people haven’t seen us,” Camilleri said. “We know what we can do. We know that when we get on a stage and we get in front of people, we know that there’s going to be this big wow-factor like, ‘Oh, my God, they sound like Elton John.’”

The audience of the Elton Rohn performance can expect to hear some of John’s most popular songs like “Rocketman,” “Your Song,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Crocodile Rock.” Many of the songs will be accompanied by the string section of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, Camilleri said.

As the festival dates near, community excitement is expected to continue to grow and, following COVID-19, it is needed, Connell said.

“We bring joy across the community for 10 days,” Connell said. “With everything going on in the world, we need that more than anything.”

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High school junior vying for Ohio House of Representatives seat LYDIA COLVIN FOR THE POST Sam Cao, a 17-year-old junior at William Mason High School, is running in a Democratic primary against Joy Bennett, fellow Mason resident, for an open Ohio House of Representatives seat in Warren County.

Cao, if elected, would be the youngest state representative in the country. However, he at least hopes his campaign sends a message to the nation that its future is in good hands.

“I want to show to the rest of the political climate and people all around the nation that age is not the merit for someone’s qualifications for public office,” Cao said.

The Ohio Constitution allows any candidate who meets voting qualifications — which are being of voting age by the general election, a resident of Ohio and being registered to vote for at least 30 days — to run for public office in Ohio. Cao will turn 18 before the general election in November.

The Warren County Democratic Office has a history of supporting many young people vying for leadership opportunities.

“We have a history of valuing, welcoming and supporting young people in our party, which I’m very proud of,” Bethe Goldenfield, Warren County democrat6 / APRIL 14, 2022

ic party chair, said. “Even though Sam is the youngest to actually run for this kind of office, we’ve been there as mentors for young people for many years.”

However, Goldenfield said the office has not and will not endorse either candidate, and she believes both candidates have different experiences they bring to the table.

Cao wanted to run for office because he has always been interested in politics — which was reaffirmed by his AP Government class — and he believes voters want something other than the status quo. The final straw in his decision to run came after his school shut down due to the omicron variant of COVID-19.

“I think the realization that our system isn’t perfect and it doesn’t really care for safety and human lives is what made me want to run,” Cao said. “I think it makes sense for someone from the younger generation to step up because they are the embodiment of tomorrow.”

Cao has gotten a lot of press coverage, including The Cincinnati Enquirer, and has used social media, including Twitter, to get his name out to the public.

Cao’s platform includes four priorities — the environment, education, health and technology — according to his campaign website. He also wants to bridge the gap

between both sides of the aisle and find more common ground — a goal he has worked to represent through his logo designed by graphic designer Max Fisher.

“One of (the logos) ... it’s the purple state with a torch,” Cao said. “It symbolizes the bridging of the Democratic and Republican aisles, and the torch is what unites the both sides together.”

However, Bennett believes her experience and presence in the county will help her win voters.

“I think that the people here in this district want a representative who is known, who has a track record of working for the community (and) of bridging the divide that we often see in here,” Bennett said.

Bennett ran for Mason City Council in 2019 and works in marketing and communications, where she has learned how to listen effectively and understand people’s perspectives.

According to Bennett’s campaign website, she wants to be a positive voice for the community and would work to solve problems through listening and finding common ground.

State Rep. Paul Zeltwanger, current Ohio State Representative for District 54, is term-limited, so there are contested primaries in both parties for the open seat.

The winner of the Democratic primary

will face the winner of the Republican primary: either Adam Mathews, vice mayor of the city of Lebanon, or Kathy Grossmann, current Mason city councilmember, for the open seat.

“It’s a lot easier to win a seat when there’s no incumbent,” Bennett said. “It’s a red leaning district, and so it would be a big deal to flip the seat from red to blue, but I believe we are ready for it.”

Additionally, Goldenfield believes that the district could be flippable, but it is going to be a challenge for either Democratic candidate.

However, due to the Ohio Supreme Court striking down the Ohio Redistricting Commission’s third set of congressional seat maps, candidates in the race do not have a confirmed district number they are running in.

“It’s really challenging to identify voters that we think are winnable when they don’t have district lines set,” Bennett said.

“It’s limiting our ability to target voters and figure out where we want to send people canvassing.”

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Athens locals work together to provide support to immigrants ALYSSA CRUZ FOR THE POST According to the Center for Immigration Studies, the immigrant population in the U.S. hit 46.2 million in November 2021.

In 2019, Zach Reizes, an Ohio University senior at the time, visited the U.S.- Mexico border and handed out food and supplies for those waiting to cross. In addition to volunteering at the border, Reizes worked with a nonprofit program called Dilley Pro Bono, an organization that provides free legal assistance to asylum seekers who have made their way into ICE detention centers.

After witnessing the long process and extensive time it takes to gain entry and obtain citizenship in the U.S., Reizes decided to continue his involvement but take his efforts closer to home. Thus, the Athens United Immigrant Support Project, or AUISP, was born.

AUISP is a nonprofit organization devoted to strengthening the network of local action by providing resources and support for immigrant rights. Based in Athens, the organization not only supports immigrants by providing them a place to live but also supports them financially.

Despite having a clear mission, AUISP volunteers adapt accordingly to each person they encounter. Kerri Shaw, a member of the AUISP board, said that every situation and every interaction has been different. Shaw also said that even her approach to the effort has changed since starting.

“Initially, we really approached it as this political statement that we were pushing back against these policies, and we still do that, but I think it’s become a lot more personal as we’ve developed relationships with people,” Shaw said. “They’ve really become part of our family.”

Shaw and her family have sponsored four people who have lived in their home with them. As an organization, AUISP has sponsored over 20 people — including a couple of families as well.

Regarding sponsorship, every situation is different. Not every supported person comes directly through Athens, and not every person is assigned to live with an AUISP volunteer.

“Some people just kind of use Athens as a landing board, and so it just kind of gets settled in adjusted to U.S. culture and gets acclimated and then figures out where they want to go and so we help them on that journey,” Shaw said.

Although the AUISP’s board originally envisioned the majority of the people they would sponsor would be from Spanish-speaking countries, the volunteers 8 / APRIL 14, 2022

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER have mostly encountered people from African countries.

“Originally, we thought we would be sponsoring a lot of folks from Central America and Mexico, and in the beginning, almost everyone that we sponsored was coming from an African country, which was really interesting,” Shaw said. “We were sponsoring folks from Uganda, Mauritania; my family, we sponsored someone from Burkina Faso.”

AUISP President Debbie Schmieding said the most rewarding part of the entire process is keeping in contact with families after building relationships with them. “(It’s about) knowing these folks now and realizing we got a lifelong commitment connection,” Schmieding said. “I think also another definite highlight is again the way that people have stepped up and wanted to help in the community — that’s a big deal, anything that people can do.”

The Schmieding family hosted a family from Nicaragua who now lives in Columbus. Both the mother and father of the family were able to attain work permits and driver’s licenses, which was a long process, according to Schmieding. The two families still remain in contact despite not living together anymore.

Among other things, AUISP is open to evolving its organization. Reizes said the Biden administration has aided in implementing some reform to the immigration system; there has been a small shift in the process of matching folks with sponsors.

“The system sort of calmed down a little bit in a way that allowed us to focus on sponsoring individual families,” Reizes said. “Since early 2021 until now, we’ve been able to sort of, in a very orderly fashion, work with the individual families who have been put in touch with us to help them find housing, help them receive their

work permits, help them complete all the documentation that they need, one step at a time.”

Reizes was candid about the future of the organization and how AUISP is part of the bigger picture when it comes to immigration reform.

“I think the future of the organization is not irrelevant, but it’s kind of like, not as less important relative to the future of U.S. immigration policy,” Reizes said.

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Bringing Art to the Outdoors LAUREN SERGE STAFF WRITER When artist David Griesmyer’s daughter asked him to make her a dragonfly, he crafted one with wings that reached 12 feet long, forming a gigantic sculpture that he placed in the middle of a local park, inviting guests to admire it.

The buzz that this one piece garnered inspired David Griesmyer as well as his business partner and sister-in-law, Rebekah Griesmyer, to create more sculptural pieces and place them in public areas around Southeast Ohio.

This eventually formed a nonprofit organization called the Ohio Art Corridor, which was officially formed in 2018. The organization consists of numerous outdoor art installations that stretch across Southeast Ohio for any and all individuals to visit.

In order to make this idea come to life, Rebekah Griesmyer said it involved a lot of collaboration. Several town mayors, including Athens’ Mayor Steve Patterson, had a roundtable to discuss the logistics.

“We pitched this idea to them about creating a corridor that people could travel at their leisure and see art that was free and accessible to the public,” Rebekah Griesmyer said. “And along the way, they could enjoy the things that these little towns in Southeastern Ohio have to offer.”

The purpose, Rebekah Griesmyer said, was to not only provide and elevate the culture within these regions but to also encourage tourism and bring new avenues of revenue to the impoverished towns.

David Griesmyer said these areas, including Ohio University, are also special, as they have direct connections to the creations of the sculptures.

“We’ve had communities donate properties for us to be able to put the sculptures out on,” David Griesmyer said. “We’ve had companies that have donated the raw materials to make the sculptures. And now, we have the universities which are getting involved that are wanting to enroll their students and helping them learn how to create these large items. It’s just been a blooming effect to see people want to be a part of it.”

The creations, while open to artistic visions, follow a set of criteria to be considered within the corridor. The pieces must be outdoor, and they must be over 12 feet if a singular structure. If it is under 12 feet, there must be three distinct pieces to form a sculpture park.

However, Rebekah Griesmyer said the most important criterion is that the pieces are free and accessible. The installations

A large fountain featuring three tiers of sculptures sits in the middle of Fountain Square in Lancaster, Ohio, on April 10, 2022. Fountain Square was dedicated as a Raymond Brandt Martens Memorial site by the Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners on July 17, 1890. (ALIZA DUTT | FOR THE POST)

currently extend across 150 miles of the Appalachian region, showcasing unique art at all times of the day. The unique pieces, from the foundational School of Fish sculpture to the newly added Locks of Love sculpture, are each planted around Athens, Circleville, Lancaster, Portsmouth, McConnelsville and Zanesville.

Jonett Haberfield is the executive director of Visit Fairfield County in Lancaster, which is the tourism site for the county.

Haberfield works to promote the various trails that the Ohio Art Corridor features in the Lancaster area, including the Flight of the Hawks.

Haberfield said the sites are visited frequently and are enjoyed by tourists.

“We think it’s great that they’ve stitched together things across Southeast Ohio, and they’re raising awareness of public art,” Haberfield said. “The fact that they came up with this idea to … be able to drive all over Southeast Ohio and see all of this art. It’s hard to find that kind of stuff, and they’ve put it all in one place, which is

really nice.”

The desirability of the corridor was emphasized especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, David Griesmyer said, underscoring the value of the trail’s accessibility and scavenger huntlike concept.

“When people were all in their homes and a lot of people were just getting their cars just because they wanted to be out, they would drive,” David Griesmyer said.

“This was a beautiful opportunity for us to start developing ways for people to have destination points to visit and to experience things.”

Throughout her time working with the organization, Rebekah Griesmyer said it has allowed her to connect with other individuals across the regions who share the same passions and visions as David and her.

“I’ve met the most wonderful people that have gone to places that I otherwise wouldn’t have visited,” Rebekah Griesmyer said. “That’s really exciting. It helps keep

the momentum going.”

Throughout the several creations that have already been made and the many more in the works to expand the trails even further, David Griesmyer hopes to see more artists participate in these creations to continue to underscore the significance of the regions.

“I think the Ohio Art Corridor is trying to … bring a spotlight on Southeastern Ohio, which … I think has been neglected,” David Griesmyer said. “I think it’s a beautiful opportunity to see and to show them that this is possible.”

@LAURENESERGE LS351117@OHIO.EDU

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Alpacas of Spring Acres in Zanesville offers tours

KATIE MILLARD FOR THE POST Tranquil Spring Acres farm in Zanesville houses some unique tennents. The rolling, winsome 180-acre land is flooded with furry, charming alpacas.

Lindsay Warne, chief marketing officer at The Alpacas of Spring Acres, said the farm has about 100 Suri alpacas, and visitors can schedule tours to meet them all.

Warne said the farm began years ago after the owners, married couple Albert and Rebecca Camma, retired. Albert Camma was a neurosurgeon in Zanesville, and the pair initially intended to retire to Hilton Head, but he kept getting called back to Ohio to help with various cases. After a while, the constant travel weighed on them, so Warne explained they moved back to a plot of land they owned in Zanesville.

Warne said the Cammas love animals, and one day they visited an alpaca farm, an experience that shaped the rest of their life.

“An alpaca was born right when they arrived at the farm, so there was no going back for them then,” Warne said. “I don't even know how long it took but by Christmas, that year, they had a herd of 12 and pretty much

10 / APRIL 14, 2022

it just exploded.”

Warne said she too had a fate-like experience joining the farm. She was fairly certain she would not take the job, but as soon as she stepped on the property she said she fell in love with how beautiful it was. She has now been there five years.

Warne said each of the alpacas has a name and distinct personality. The names are typically based on the mother, with sequences where everyone in the family begins their name with the same letter or with all those in a lineage sharing relevant cultural references.

“Once you spend a lot of time with something or someone, you see the tiny differences,” Warne said. “They have different shaped eyes, different shaped noses, some of them have random colorations on one spot or another. Some of them you can tell straight up by their personality. If you go into the boy barn and you hear someone making a bunch of noise, you know that's Alejandro.”

The farm is also home to a host of other animals, including llamas. The llamas have similar needs to alpacas but can serve as guard animals, whereas alpacas tend to flee, although Warne notes these particular lla-

mas are unaggressive.

“My boss, when she was starting her herd, she needed to pick one llama out of four llamas,” Warne said. “And she ended up with four llamas. She took them all. So technically they're for guardians, but they're also just because she loves them too.”

Visitors can enjoy tours of the farm, many led by Warne, as well as shop at the farm store. The alpacas are sheared yearly, and each individual alpaca’s fur is turned to wool, which is labeled with the specific alpaca’s name. This way, visitors can purchase fibers from their favorite alpaca, along with a variety of alpaca fiber goods.

Warne said alpaca fibers are highly valued because they carry the warmth of sheep’s wool without the itch and are hypoallergenic. She said she has even heard rumors that alpaca fibers are flame resistant, although she notes she has not tested it. Warne added their specific alpacas’ fibers have a unique history, as in Incan time period, only royalty could use Suri fibers for their clothes, whereas everyone else used Huacaya alpaca fibers.

The property also has a bed and breakfast,

although Warne said they are not offering new reservations at this time and may be phasing out the bed and breakfast option.

Jackie Fessel, a Hilliard resident, spent the night there for her birthday in 2019.

“I have always had a really creepy obsession with alpacas,” Fessel said. “I don't know why. Everybody has a favorite animal and mine has always been the alpaca.”

Fessel’s love for alpacas knows few bounds, and her visit to Spring Acres is just one of many alpaca experiences she has sought out, once even doing yoga with alpacas. Fessel said she stayed at the Spring Acres bed and breakfast and took a tour of the farm, but she realized the two were somewhat separate.

Fessel said Albert’s ex-wife said she owned the bed and breakfast, as she had kept their house in an amicable divorce, and he had gotten the land, upon which he built a new house and the alpaca farm with Rebecca.

“You don't have to spend the night — you can do both or you can do either, or any combination,” Fessel said. “You don't have to go look at alpacas if you spend the night at the bed and breakfast. It's just all there together.

You can kind of pick and choose.”

Fessel reiterated Warne’s feeling that the farm itself was stunning. She said her tour of the farm was very informative and that she’d enjoy going back again.

Wil Hoffman, a senior studying communication studies, said he had a classmate in high school with their own alpaca farm, from whom he enjoyed learning about the animals.

“They weren't very hostile,” Hoffman said.

“I learned a couple of things while I was there.

They have long necks so that they can see predators because they're typically mountainous in terms of regions, so they need to look over rocks and over boulders and such.”

To see alpacas in Ohio, visitors can book tours on Spring Acres online, or by direct messaging on Facebook. Warne requests people not drop in, as oftentimes random visitors will regretfully not be able to get a spontaneous tour.

“Alpacas are interesting, such an interesting creature,” Fessel said. “It's really fun to talk to these people who work with them and live amongst them because they're very unique. Each one is different.”

The alpacas declined a request to comment.

@KATIE_MILLARD11 KM053019@OHIO.EDU

Two wheels and an open road ALEX IMWALLE FOR THE POST Vintage motorcycles stand propped in front of posters and portraits of their former riders, as the legendary tales of each twowheeled vehicle are gloriously presented.

The rich history and legacies of the famed motorcyclists like Sam Arena Sr. or Brad Andres can be found just a short drive from downtown Columbus.

Pickerington, Ohio, is home to the American Motorcyclist Association, or AMA, Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which welcomes motorcycle connoisseurs into its extensive display of motorcycle and motorcyclist history.

The hall of fame has reopened its doors and offers a wide variety of historical motorcycles on its first floor, and it pays tribute to the widely-renowned motorcyclists that left a mark on the industry, according to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s website.

For non-members, the museum charges $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $3 for students, but the vast history depicted within the walls of the museum can be accessed free of charge for any AMA member.

Patrick Summers, a senior studying cellular and molecular biology, said he would expect a hall of fame museum such as the AMA

Hall of Fame to be popular among people in Ohio and throughout the country.

“In the U.S. in particular, we tend to value our vehicles … and, more so, if not, the people attached to them,” Summers said. “It’s not surprising to me that there’s a museum like that.”

Summers said he sees the hall of fame as a significant reason to visit the Columbus area for those with a passion for motorcycles.

Gilbert Moore, program director of Ohio Valley Rider Training and a member of AMA, said he has visited the hall of fame many times over the years.

About 75% of the museum is permanent exhibits, and the other 25% changes very regularly, and it always has a variety of different niches on display, Moore said.

“They have exhibits on a collection of toy sidecars and motorcycle related toys,” Moore said. “You can go back in time and again, and there’s always new stuff to see, which I value.”

The museum also shows the lifetime growth of motorcycle machinery, featuring models of some of the first ever motorcycles all the way up to modern day motorcycles that you could see on the street, Moore said.

“They’ve got motorcycles that are 100 years old,” Moore said. “One thing that’s fun to do is look at the development of the equipment.”

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Kent Knudson, an AMA member and owner of Team Pentovarna, a vintage offroad motorcycle race team, has curated multiple exhibits for the hall of fame. He said he has a large collection of a variety of different motorcycle memorabilia with a specialization in vintage off-road models.

Over the years, Knudson said he has experienced a variety of different extensive and impressive displays, including one that features celebrity motorcycles as well as one called “Motocross America,” an exhibit depicting the sport of motocross and its extensive history that Knudson contributed to.

“They brought in motorcycles (and gear) from all over the world,” Knudson said. “It was the most elaborate and expensive exhibit that they’ve ever done.”

Knudson stressed the idea that, especially in recent years, the museum does not just primarily focus on the development of the vehicles, but rather, it incorporates the story behind the motorcycle and, more importantly, its rider.

“It’s not about the motorcycle, it’s about the motorcyclist — the person,” Knudson said.

Moore said the glorification of the motorcyclist equal to the motorcycle on display is a unique aspect of the museum that he appreciates.

“In some cases it’s about a story, and the motorcycle is just a prop,” Moore said.

“There’s a lot of good stories about people where the motorcycle is just the reason we’re getting together.”

The Midwest region has always been the origin of motorcycle development during the Industrial Revolution, Moore said. Because of this, he said it makes sense that the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is located in central Ohio. Additionally, some of the biggest motorcycle dealers are still located in Columbus, Ohio.

Ultimately, Moore said the hall of fame fosters such an enjoyable experience because of the rich history it displays on its walls that correlates with the motorcycles sitting before the viewers.

“You just start reading the wall about what these people did and how they did it and where they were and when it happened,” Moore said. “Then you look at the machinery.”

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One Bad Seed

ILLUSTRATIONS BY OLIVIA JUENGER

JILLIAN CRAIG SENIOR WRITER The following report includes content about alcohol use and acts of physical violence.

S

ince the death of Collin Wiant, an Ohio University student, in 2018 and the subsequent passing of Collin’s Law in 2021, hazing in colleges remains in the spotlight in the state of Ohio.

In 2019, OU’s Greek life organizations, in addition to the Marching 110 and the men’s rugby club, received cease and desist orders as the university investigated allegations of hazing. Through the years, other Greek life organizations, like Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, alongside other organizations across campus, like the OU men’s club soccer team and waterpolo team, have all faced hazing allegations, according to previous Post reports.

Other schools, like those in the 12 / APRIL 14, 2022

Mid-American Conference in Ohio, including Kent State University, Miami University, Bowling Green State University, University of Akron and University of Toledo, have also had hazing allegations in the years before and since 2019.

Beau Uqdah, a senior studying integrated language arts at OU, joined Phi Delta Theta in fall 2019. Uqdah held various leadership positions within the organization and said he has not witnessed any hazing based on his definition of “anything that someone would do to gain membership into a fraternity that goes against their personal moral code.” Uqdah said, however, because his definition is so broad, it is likely someone could consider an act or situation to be hazing that he personally might not.

“Everything that I hear is always like hearsay, until there’s a document or a group chat that is leaked where it’s without a doubt what this chapter is doing on this campus,”

Uqdah said.

When it came to forced drinking, Uqdah said he heard of that being a part of other organizations, too.

Uqdah’s fraternity was given a hazing module from OU to complete, which went over what hazing looks like, what the warning signs are and what hazing is. The depth of educating one’s fraternity on hazing depends on the organization, Uqdah said. For his fraternity, the national chapter also provides materials.

“From the school’s perspective, they introduced the UC 1500 class, which is ‘Intro to Sorority and Fraternity Life,’” Uqdah said.

“That allows students a voice away from their organization to hear about what hazing might look like.”

Sandra Hoyt, a professor of instruction within the psychology department at OU, said there are multiple factors that go into why hazing happens, but the basis is the de-

sire people have to belong to groups. On top of wanting to be part of a group, insufficient justification plays a role.

“Not even just getting the hazing, but if you get into groups (that are) really hard to get into, you had to really work hard to do that. Afterward, you say to yourself, ‘Well, why did I really do this?’’ Hoyt said. “And it’s all about cognitive dissonance, which is where the insufficient justification comes in.”

Cognitive dissonance is when a person’s actions do not align with a person’s personal beliefs. Insufficient justification is a theory that states people are more likely to participate in an act that goes against their personal beliefs when offered a small reward instead of a large reward. Because an individual cannot change their behavior to affect a new outcome, they will choose to change their attitude, Hoyt said.

“So hazing, even though it can take on some terrible forms, has this ability to build

loyalty and positive feelings towards the group. It’s a little weird,” Hoyt said. “And then I think it persists because what happens is one student had to go through this to get into this group. And so they assume, ‘Well, these other students should have to go through something similar to get into this group,’ and then it becomes, ‘Not only should they go through something similar, but we should make it a little more extreme.’”

And although hazing is a risk, people join those organizations because there is usually a positive aspect presented, Hoyt said.

Hazing is not confined to OU, though.

Other universities of similar size in Ohio have experienced their fair share of hazing incidents as well.

At University of Toledo, Megan Stoops, the outgoing panhellenic president and a senior studying psychology, also never witnessed hazing.

“I don’t think that there were instances where there was hazing. I think it was rather endangerment of people,” Stoops said. “And that was like my freshman year, so I don’t really know of something specific.”

Stoops said there’s a zero-tolerance policy at UT when it comes to hazing and said there’s been increased education on hazing and increased accountability in addition to the anonymous reporting options available.

“I think that’s really benefited our community because not only are we more mindful of one another and holding each other accountable, (but) it’s forever ingrained in our community now,” Stoops said. “I think that is a benefit for us specifically because keeping one another accountable (and) keeping us safe is a huge part of how the community can flourish: by holding each other to the same standard that we would hold our friends.”

Between 2010 and 2020, UT received three reports of hazing that the university found violated the student code of conduct.

After the death in 2021 of Stone Foltz after a hazing ritual at Pi Kappa Alpha, also known as PIKE, at Bowling Green State University, Anna Lipinski, a freshman studying nursing and a member of Kappa Delta at BGSU, said it revealed the seriousness of hazing.

“I think that having that incident happen, and seeing how it affected his parents and his girlfriend at the time and his friends and everything, I think it really shed light on what hazing is and how it can go to an extreme and how it can be fatal in the end,” Lipinski said.

PIKE was expelled from campus in 2021 after Foltz’s death. Prior to his death, the fraternity had two allegations of hazing in 2018, one of which included forced consumption of alcohol. The two allegations, however, were not supported after further questioning and investigation.

Before the semester even started, Lipinski said she was required to complete modules on hazing and drinking awareness. During her BGSU freshman orientation, Lipinski was given information on resources to contact if someone is being hazed, and during her potential new member orientation, the same information and resources were presented.

After joining, Lipinski’s sorority president also held a seminar on hazing.

“I felt more comfortable with having that freshman orientation and talking about how … if there’s any signs of hazing going around, ‘Please report it and everything,’” Lipinski said. “So, I feel like it really depends on the college that you go to, but I felt very comfortable.”

Between 2017 and 2021, BGSU received 24 hazing reports, and six of the reports re-

ceived sanctions.

At Kent State, Luke Schiopota, a junior studying exercise physiology, said his fraternity does not have a pledging process, so new members do not have to prove their worth to be included.

“They’re initiated right away, and they’re equal to all the other brothers that are already in the fraternity, so that just completely eliminates the factor of hazing altogether for us,” Schiopota said.

Schiopota said his fraternity attended hazing seminars and learned about the new hazing laws.

“For my fraternity, it definitely is a big factor for us, (and) that’s kind of one of our main selling points when we’re recruiting,” Schiopota said. “We like to make sure that people know that there’s no opportunity that you’re going to be hazed in our fraternity.”

Schiopota was not aware of any hazing cases at Kent State specifically but was aware of hazing at other schools based on what was being reported in the news.

Kent State’s office of student conduct does not keep records past seven years, Stephanie Jones, special assistant in the office of general counsel at Kent State, said in an email, so there was no data from 2010– 2013 to share. Additionally, the office of student code and conduct was not in charge of records of investigations until 2017 because they were facilitated through the center for student involvement. Kent State had three records of hazing from 2016–2019.

Hoyt said clear messaging from universities, such as clear zero-tolerance policies and harsher penalties for hazing, would be effective in hazing prevention, in addition to educating students on the topic.

“If you aren’t trying to educate the students about it and their parents and the faculty and staff, then that’s when more things fly under the radar,” Hoyt said. “And I think penalties have to be there. Because when people get in groups, they sometimes forget about things, and they’ll do things that are somewhat unusual that they certainly wouldn’t typically ever do just by themselves.”

In general, Ohio colleges in the MAC have issued punishments, also known as “sanctions,” when an organization is found in violation of the student code of conduct. Examples include disciplinary probation, suspension for a specified period of time, mandatory education, required fees and required paperwork, such as new member materials.

Hank Nuwer, author and professor emeritus at Franklin College, put together a database of hazing cases, which includes high school and college hazing cases dating as far back as 1838.

“The first hazing death that I could find in a school was 1838, and the first fraternity 1873,” Nuwer said. “I think the fact that in my research there was a death every year from 1959 until 2019 says an awful lot.”

Nuwer said a combination of clear, stringent anti-hazing laws and continued information on the effects of hazing on others would be beneficial in hazing prevention.

“I don’t think we can stop hazing, but my whole career has been aimed at least stopping the deaths and serious injuries,” Nuwer said. “I think that’s a buy-in we should be able to get from all undergrads.”

Uqdah said every organization has a group of people who try to push the limits of what is allowed, and a conversation needs to happen with those people.

“I always go back to the ‘one bad seed’ thing because, one, it’s funny,” Uqdah said.

“You can say that for every organization, but it’s those five people that are in a chapter that are always trying to push the envelope further. Those are the people that need to be sat down and have a conversation.”

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Sustainability Spanning Decades ISABEL NISSLEY SLOT EDITOR Paola Munoz, Charlene Suggs and Laura Farrell chose to live differently. Rather than relying on a physical structure to define their “homes,” Munoz, Suggs and Farrell sought out living experiences that prioritized environmental sustainability at the scale of the household.

Although the three resided in Athens decades apart, they each participated in an intentional living endeavor – at the Ohio University Ecohouse, Wisteria Community or Acme Co-op – during their time in Southeast Ohio.

Intentional communities have long been a part of life in and around Athens.

But during the pandemic, existing intentional living endeavors, like the Ecohouse, provided residents with unique social benefits.

“I did my master’s in environmental studies, so I did have classmates that had similar thoughts to me, but because of COVID we were all in a virtual environment, so after class, (I) didn’t have that un-

official experience to communicate with others, to learn about others,” Munoz said.

“But, the Ecohouse gave me that opportunity and I really appreciated it.”

From fall 2019 until spring 2021, Munoz lived in the Ecohouse, an OU-founded residence that promotes sustainability education and living habits for three students each year, according to the Office of Sustainability. Located half a mile off of Richland Avenue, the Ecohouse is a split-level brick home with a dark stained door and large yard. Some sustainable initiatives are built into the home, such as a 2.4 kilo-watt solar array and an established compositing system, while others are implemented by residents.

Living in the Ecohouse, Munoz formed “close” friendships and developed a network of accountability for her daily actions.

“We’re all students, sometimes we don’t have time, sometimes you want to cheat and you want to do something easier or faster for yourself or for other people, but living in a more sustainable community environment, they really don’t like you to

NOW LEASING NEW BEGINNINGS

cheat and that’s really cool,” Munoz said.

“We’re all improving … all together.”

Ecohouse members even collaborated to make changes in their own habits for the benefit of the environment.

“For example, one roommate really wanted to eat energy bars,” Munoz said.

“Instead of that, we made energy bars together, so he reduced the packaging that he was using.”

In the 1990s, similar environmentally-conscious living was taking place in the Acme Co-op, an affordable student housing cooperative.

“We always tried to have a growing yard, we composted food scraps, we were good at recycling and trying to do the basics, in my mind, of sustainable living,” Farrell, a former resident of the co-op, said.

Acme Cooperators even briefly considered implementing solar panels.

Like Ecohouse and Acme residents, members of the Wisteria Community are mindful of their impact upon and relationship with the Earth.

Halfway between Athens and Meigs County, Wisteria is a cooperatively owned

and operated land-based community and business. Situated atop a now defunct coal mine, the Wisteria Community promotes healing for its residents and the land.

“It’s just this beautiful beauty of this region,” Suggs, one of the primary founders of the Wisteria Community, said. “To see it recovering is just encouraging. You could come here without noticing telltale signs, most people can’t tell that it was stripmined, so for me it’s daily encouragement of how much intelligence this planet can recover and heal itself. I see that in every flower and tree and walk and it’s beautiful.”

From Meigs County to the city of Athens, residents of Southeast Ohio have interacted with each other and their environment in diverse ways over the years.

Three women sought out to do so mindfully, through intentional community participation with the Ecohouse, Wisteria Community and Acme Co-op.

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OU Chabad spreads awareness, shares connections to Ukraine

ILLUSTRATION BY LAUREN ADAMS HANNAH CAMPBELL ASST. OPINION EDITOR Everyone has traditional roots that link them to their heritage, which ultimately plays a huge role in who people are. For many Jewish people, their roots are in Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine may seem like a distant issue for U.S. citizens, but for leaders and members of Chabad at Ohio University, there is a special connection to the conflict.

During the early days of the ongoing war, Chabad held a Challah bread bake fundraiser to raise money for Ukraine Jewish refugees. Levi Raichik, the rabbi and director of Chabad Student Center at OU, said his reason for fundraising for Ukraine was beyond the traditional Jewish roots.

Raichik said his aunt, Chaya Wolff, and her husband, Avrahom Wolff, moved to Odessa, Ukraine, after the fall of the Soviet Union. The number of Jewish people living in the country decreased after the fall, and the ones that stayed experienced their religion being suppressed.

Since the move, Raichik said the couple has been able to contribute greatly to the community, including the building of orphanages and schools.

“As soon as the war broke out, they decided that they had to get the orphanage out of Ukraine,” Raichik said. “A lot of these kids are coming from extremely difficult backgrounds where they don’t have any documentation, even though they are Ukrainian.”

Raichik said the kids, through the help of the German Embassy and German government, received diplomatic status to

come over to Germany. The journey took four days, he said, as they traveled on buses through countries, like Moldova and Slovakia, to get to Berlin.

Once the children from the orphanage arrived in Berlin safely, Raichik said the couple went back to Ukraine to support the large Jewish community still there.

“As the leaders of the community, even though it’s a sacrifice … you can’t run away from your community,” Raichik said. “So, that’s an enormous self sacrifice, which is an inspiration to us.”

While Raichik had a personal connection to the cause, Emily Thal, a senior studying communications sciences and disorders, wanted to get involved after seeing media coverage of the war.

“As Jews, it is kind of our obligation to do what we can to give back if we’re able to afford to, which is something called a

mitzvah,” Thal said. “I’ve also grown up in a heavy Jewish community … so it’s kind of instilled in our brains.”

As the war progressed over spring break, Raichik’s wife Chanee and Thal, decided to fund raise with a Challah bake.

Through the fundraiser, Chabad was able to raise over $3,000.

Thal said the support from the community was unexpectedly high and encouraged her to keep spreading awareness on the issue.

“The community showed so much support and love, and I wasn’t expecting that because I’ve experienced antisemitism on campus,” Thal said. “I didn’t know what to expect from the community, but all of it was positive.

In addition to the Challah bake, Chabad was spreading the news about the war and fundraising through campus ambassadors.

Members of Chabad and other OU students would spread the word through organizations on campus and social media.

Raichik said these ambassadors were able to call attention to the fundraiser and show massive support for the cause.

“So many non-Jewish students came in to show their support,” Raichik said. “We had a representative in every fraternity and sorority … and they all sent so many students over to buy and help make (Challah).”

Molly Cohen, a freshman studying communication studies, also does not have a personal connection to Ukraine, but said she wanted to be an ambassador for the fundraiser after hearing the personal story from Raichik.

Cohen said she was also surprised by the amount of support Chabad received for the cause and how educated many students and residents were on the issue.

“I feel like the general consensus is that something bad is happening over there, and a lot of people are in danger,” Cohen said. “A lot of people, at least like me, didn’t really know how exactly to help.”

Cohen said the organization was also able to raise money off campus, as a friend of hers also sold Challah at an Outback in West Virginia.

Raichik said the community support was so great, that Chabad had two more fundraising bakes.

Although the organization was able to raise money for the cause, Raichik said media coverage surrounding the war and student awareness had significantly decreased.

“Students, now, basically forgot about it, even though the suffering in Ukraine is not getting better,” Raichik said. “It’s only getting worse, so we try to talk about it as much as possible to keep the awareness.

@HANNAHCMPBELL HC895819@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

BASEBALL

At the end of a long stretch of road sits the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. (NATE SWANSON | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

Southern Ohio Copperheads bring baseball back to Southeastern Ohio ASHLEY BEACH ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Bob Wren Stadium is Ohio’s home field in the spring, but once their Mid-American Conference schedule ends, another team takes the field.

The Southern Ohio Copperheads are a member of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. The GLSCL boasts 13 teams, all of which are based in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. While the teams are limited to the Midwest, the athletes in the league hail from colleges across North America.

The Copperheads have been in operation since 2002. Although they haven’t played for the past two seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Copperheads are ready to bring summer baseball back to the Southeastern Ohio community.

The team itself is “Community owned, student operated,” which means that al16 / APRIL 14, 2022

though there are community members behind the ownership of the team, Ohio University students run the show. This season, Charlie Clegg and Chris Marks will serve as Co-General Managers and keep track of ballclub activities while supervising the leadership team.

The 2022 staff features 11 students who work on all aspects of operations. The Copperheads provide students with experiential learning in aspects ranging from marketing to player operations.

However, the Copperheads’ main goal is to connect with the community.

“Our main avenue to being in the community is our Director of Community of Relations,” Marks said. “He handles all of our community events. He has us out in the community during farmer’s markets, connecting with local youth baseball teams and softball teams and organizing clinics for kids not just in Athens, but the

other surrounding communities like Albany and Trimble.”

During the offseason, the Copperheads’ staff have been preparing for the 2022 season by establishing community partnerships. They’ve made appearances at the Ohio Health Athens Marathon and the Athens Sandlot Parade to spread the word about their return to Bob Wren Stadium.

The team has also collaborated with local businesses. Larry’s Dawg House in Athens serves as the team’s official concessions. The Copperheads have committed to staying local, and their partnership with Larry’s Dawg House reiterates their drive to be an active contributor to the community they are in.

Social media is one of the main avenues the Copperheads utilize to reach their fanbase. They are active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This allows the Copperheads to be present within the

community and helps fans to put faces to names.

“We’re really trying to be active on all three of those platforms,” Clegg said. “We usually post five to seven times a week. It is really easy to reach us.”

The Copperheads shared one of their many upcoming promotions for the 2022 season on their social media pages in late March. They are offering to host a wedding at Bob Wren Stadium, similar to how some professional clubs do.

The closest professional baseball team to Athens is located in Columbus. However, Athens residents don’t have to travel far for a similar experience at a Copperheads game. Tickets are cheap — priced at just $5 per ticket — and the season runs throughout the summer.

@ASHLEYBEACHY_ AB026319@OHIO.EDU

BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL

Meet Trimble standout Blake Guffey EMMA ERION FOR THE POST Blake Guffey has been tied to football and basketball for almost his entire life, and that dedication has slowly paid off.

Guffey has blossomed into one of Trimble’s most versatile athletes, excelling in both football and basketball. He is Trimble’s all-time leading scorer in boys’ basketball with 1,824 points to his name. In football, Guffey has committed to Notre Dame College to play as a wide receiver next season.

The senior’s accomplishments haven’t gone unnoticed. Guffey was the only player to receive First Team All-Ohio honors this season in both basketball and football.

The Post spoke with Guffey to discuss his success in both sports.

When you were a kid, what interested you first? Did you start off with football and then get into basketball, or was it always both at the same time?

It really depends on what sport I was in season for. Basketball would be my favorite, and then football season would be my

What made you choose to continue pursuing both in high school?

Basically, I just love the game for both sports. I knew what I could do if I just kept working out harder and harder. My dream has always been like college football or college basketball, and I accomplished one of those goals now.

Has all of the support from your community helped you with your success?

Basically, the coaches have been there all along. They will help you get wherever you want. They’ll do whatever they can possibly do to help you achieve what you want to achieve. The community will also pitch in, and they’ll help do their part by supporting you along the way and just cheering you on at games. I love playing games with them because that’s the best atmosphere around by far.

What would you say you’ve gained from playing football and basketball for your community?

I’ve gained a lot of trust and leadership, especially leadership. During basketball season, our coach has helped us a lot just to be able to learn about leadership and how to be a leader, especially these past two years with not having really many seniors last year. We had to step up as juniors to be leaders, and then as seniors, we knew our role, and it just helps you become a better player and a better person overall.

Would you say your coaches are big inspirations for you?

We have many, many coaches for each and every sport. I mean, for football, our coaches line the sidelines. Sometimes, we’ll have more coaches than players. It’s really nice, especially at the high school level. You don’t get that experience anywhere else I don’t think. Our coaches, they just have so much knowledge about the game, and it’s just amazing having them be able to help you all the time, and if you have any questions about certain things, they know the answer.

guaranteed favorite, especially since I was always told, “You gotta be football. You gotta be football.” So, that was really calling me later in life to do football.

Does it ever get draining trying to keep up with both football and basketball?

It’s definitely tough, but the right recovery and workout program is a big factor in not being able to wear yourself out. You just have to be smart with it to help you be 90-100% at all times. Our coaches know that. We’ll have a couple of days where it’s just like mellow, where everyone can just rest and recover and get back to playing.

What does it feel like to be the only player in Ohio to get First Team AllOhio honors for football and basketball?

Honestly, it is amazing, especially knowing all the hard work I have put in.

Again, I’ve got to thank the coaches because, without them, I would not be in this position. I may be taking the credit, but they need to be taking most of the credit.

@ERIONEMMA EE646020@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 17

PEOPLE AND PLANET

MEG DIEHL is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University.

From the biggest city in Ohio to the most isolated towns, opioid addiction is a dangerously prevalent epidemic in many communities, accounting for 70% of all drug overdoses occurring in the state. In the heart of Columbus, syringes can be found littered in the street while the sparsely populated Pike County is at high risk for HIV and hepatitis C outbreaks from sharing needles.

In Ohio at large, most everyone knows somebody who is addicted to opioids. In 2018, 46,802 drug overdoses were a result of opioid use.

When one visits Columbus’ city website, there is literature available on various forms of harm reduction, free fentanyl test strips, access to naloxone and hepatitis C testing as well as lists of prevention and education programs. While these are all helpful resources, it should not fall on everyday people to prevent overdose and severe illness but on public policy regarding the legal process for those addicted to opioids and the ethical standards and regulations to which drug manufacturers are held.

Opioid addiction in Ohio For many who become addicted to opioids, the addiction begins with a prescription. In the late 1990s, Perdu Pharma released Oxycontin as a painkiller, and within two years, the medication accounted for 80% of the company’s profits. Due to its low street value, it was easy to attain, and many overdoses occurred.

Increasingly common, however, is fentanyl, which is 50100 times more potent than natural morphine and often laced in heroin on the street unbeknownst to the person using it. Between 2013 and 2014, the number of fentanyl overdoses doubled. Higher regulation of drug companies would likely reduce the chance of them releasing other addictive medications.

Unfortunately, various politicians are too loyal to drug companies for this to happen. While drug manufacturers have created countless life-changing medications and vaccines, there have been too many instances of companies sacrificing the safety and well-being of vulnerable people for a profit, such as the production of addictive prescription drugs including opioids and high prices for medication that is helpful.

Next to ethical issues within the pharmaceutical industry is the treatment of addicts within the criminal justice system. If you are caught with heroin in Ohio, you face six months to 11 years in prison.

What would be more productive than prison time is mandatory, long-term rehabilitation programs and drug counseling. Implementing such procedures would aid instead of inhibit those struggling with addiction all across the state and overall improve their well-being instead of preventing them from moving on and starting over.

The opioid epidemic has plagued the Midwest and rural areas, specifically across Ohio. Regardless of the demographic and political differences of somebody from Cleveland in comparison to somebody from Adams County, everybody has been touched by addiction. In such a volatile political context, putting bipartisan effort into ending the opioid crisis would be a unifying and healing process for everyone.

Meg Diehl is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Tell Meg by tweeting her at @irlbug.

SO LISTEN

Ohio’s redistricting map MIKAYLA ROCHELLE is a graduate student studying public administration at Ohio University.

The 2020 Census has come and passed. The Census brings on new opportunities for states, but for Ohio, it has brought loss.

Ohio’s dropping population caused us to lose a congressional district seat. The moving population also means that new lines need to be drawn out for state congressional districting so that populations in each district remain even.

The decision is made by the bipartisan Ohio Redistricting Commission. This commission consists of seven people: the governor, secretary of state, auditor of the state and a Democrat and a Republican from both the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate.

There are five Republicans and two Democrats.

There have been three proposed maps that have all been shot down by the Ohio Supreme Court with concerns of gerrymandering in favor of the Republican Party. The Supreme Court believes that the maps have not met voter-approved provisions of the state constitution to reduce the favoring of one party over another.

18 / APRIL 14, 2022

While there are more registered Republicans than registered Democrats in Ohio, that is not reflected by the Ohio General Assembly. There is a strong majority in both the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate. Arguably, this is because Ohio is currently already gerrymandered.

With only a few weeks until Ohio’s Primary, voters still don’t know who they are voting for since a new map has not been approved. This new map was supposed to be approved at the beginning of this year.

This has posed huge problems for the Secretary of State’s office, candidates and voters. Some of these candidates don’t know who their constituents are, so they are campaigning in areas and to voters who may not even vote for them. If a new map cannot be approved in time, there may need to be two primary voting days, which will be complicated and expensive for the state of Ohio.

The fact that the Redistricting committee continues to propose maps that are still considered gerrymandered by the Supreme Court is a huge letdown for Ohioans. Voting and the process of voting is supposed to be fair and democratic, but if districts are gerrymandered to favor one party heavily over another, it takes the power of voting out of the hands of Ohioans and puts it into the hands of politicians.

This redistricting committee is acting selfishly and making these maps based on their personal beliefs, not what is best for the democracy of Ohio. If they truly cared about their constituents, these maps would better represent both parties, even if that means their party loses some of their power.

Mikayla Rochelle is a graduate student studying public administration at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Tell Mikayla by tweeting her at @mikayla_roch.

6 Southeast Ohio bands you should know about

GRACE KOENNECKE FOR THE POST While many don’t consider Southeast Ohio to contain much besides cornfields and abandoned shopping centers, the region is actually home to many unique and talented musicians. From indie to folk to alternative and even punk-rock, Southeast Ohio is the right place to find good music.

If you’re not from the region, or at least don’t go to school at Ohio University, here are six bands you should know about that are on the rise: Rent Free Composed of twins Paul and Weston Nern as well as Michael Wells, Rent Free is a widely known band on OU’s campus.

Drawing inspiration from artists such as Green Day, The Beatles and Blink-182, the band has a sound that is reminiscent of 1990s rock. Currently, it is signed to Brick City Records and just released its latest single, “Angry Punk Song.” Rent Free is even planning to put out an EP soon, meaning that you should definitely start listening to its music now as it begins to spread out to the masses.

In Flow

Vincent Florist

The garage rock band from Athens is also a big name on campus, playing weekly shows at The Union to avid fans. Its sound definitely gravitates toward the alternative music genre, with impressive vocals that easily remind listeners of the classic rock days. In Flow recently released “Flowers,” an upbeat and guitar-heavy single that will make you want to jump up and down, banging your head to the beat. Its self-titled EP also just dropped, which marks the beginning of In Flow’s lively state as a band.

Laying its foundation in Cincinnati and spreading to Athens, the trio only has two songs so far in its repertoire but will be releasing an album soon. It has been able to open at The Union for bands such as In Flow and A-Go-Go, allowing it to increase its fan base. Ethan Philips, Josiah Slaughter and Dylan Campbell’s musical chemistry is evident in their work. Songs such as “The Garden” and “Your Life” prove Vincent Florist has potential and that it is serious in its craft. If you like 1990s alt-rock, go give it a listen!

This Violet Hour

Velvet Green

Ewan Seymour, a freshman at OU, is the frontman of This Violet Hour. The alternative-rock band finds comfort in Athens, as its roots lay here. Playing shows at The Union is how its members spend their pastime, along with recording EPs for eager fans. Opening for other local bands like Velvet Green, the group has gained a slow and steady following. If you’re into bands like The Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana, This Violet Hour is worth the listen.

The group of six — including drummer Shea Benezra; guitarists Sam Debatin and Harper Reese; keyboardist Liam McSteen; bassist Mitchell Spring; and vocalist Cora Fitch — is well-known in the Athens music scene. Forming in 2018, the band is usually always headlining at The Union, bringing psychedelic pop and funk sounds back into the rock genre. Velvet Green has even been able to expand outside of Athens, performing in Columbus recently at A&R

Music Bar. This band is ideal if you’re nostalgic for early 2000s pop-rock.

Fullsend Fullsend mixes blues, funk, rock and reggae together to intersect genres that listeners may not have thought were possible to meld together before. Also signed to Brick City Records, the band has played in Columbus at The Summit Music Hall and Woodlands Tavern. With two live albums under its belt, it’s clear the band values playing for fans live. If you’re interested in experimental music, Fullsend may just be the band for you!

@GRACE_KOE GK011320@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19

Southeast Ohio Getaways

MIMI CALHOUN AND MAGGIE PALMA FOR THE POST Whether planning a romantic getaway, family vacation or just an escape on your own, Southeast Ohio has plenty one-ofa-kind lodging experiences to choose from. Ohio offers so many magical and memorable destinations, no matter where you stay. Pick anything from modern geodomes, medieval castles or revamped shipping containers. Book your stay soon because these spots fill up fast! Here are six options for your next escape: Pass your time in a canopy of trees See Hocking Hills in a different way: 20 feet off the ground. Hocking Hills offers plenty of cozy treehouses near the trails for your next getaway. The houses give a bird’s eye view of the State Park, just minutes away from all of the activities of 20 / APRIL 14, 2022

Hocking Hills State Park. Many of the treehouses around Hocking Hills have hot tubs and fire pits to relax during your stay in Southeast Ohio.

Stay in a suite fit for a royal Surround yourself with Medieval themed decor and games at Ravenwood Castle. Located in New Plymouth, Ohio, which is 12 minutes away from Hocking Hills, there are plenty of things to do during your stay. The castle hosts scavenger hunts, murder mysteries, beer tastings, lifesized chess and many more activites to spend your time. The castle has seven suites inside and nine cottages on the grounds. The remote location is a perfect place to unplug from technology!

Vacation with wild animals Experience The Wilds in a whole new way in a private yurt. The Wilds are owned

by The Columbus Zoo and are located in

Zanesville, Ohio. There are yurts to reserve and plenty of excursions on the conservatory. All excursions come with an extra cost, but The Wilds offer tours, ziplines and plenty of safaris across the grounds.

Spend time in a box hop Take the time and head somewhere secluded with a box hop vacation. Made from old shipping containers, these places allow for luxury camping to meet the great outdoors of Hocking Hills. There are three types of houses: the OG Box Hop that’s simple and modern, the BoHo Box Hop that’s compact and intimate and the Hygge Box Hop that’s cozy and comfortable.

Stay the night in a geodome Experience a new way of getaway by sleeping in a geodome. Located at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, the geodomes mix contemporary living with rustic aesthetics. The dome comes with its own kitch-

en and appliances, living space, indoor plumbing and electricity. It’s the perfect spot for a solo or couple trip.

Enjoy a unique yurt trip Also located at the Inn and & Spa at Cedar Falls, try an alternative to the geodomes and spend a night in a yurt instead.

Used by Central Asian nomads, these yurts bring a modern Pacific-style flair to the lodging experience. Immerse yourself in nature and take in all that Southeast Ohio has to offer.

@MIMI_CALHOUN MC300120@OHIO.EDU @MAGGIEPALMA01 MP359120@OHIO.EDU

5 places to volunteer in Southeast Ohio JULIANA COLANT FOR THE POST At the heart and soul of communities are organizations that work to make them better places. Whether it’s by reducing waste or providing food or housing for the impoverished, there are always ways community members can help others. Consider taking some time to give back to communities in Southeast Ohio by volunteering at one of these five organizations: UpCycle Ohio UpCycle Ohio is a makerspace and thrift store that strives to provide eco-friendly and affordable shopping and resources. The social enterprise works to build a more sustainable community through upcycling gently used merchandise.

This effort reduces the negative impact on landfills and the planet. UpCycle Ohio is a part of Rural Action, a non-profit trying to “revitalize” Appalachian Ohio. Volunteers sort through thrift store merchandise and get first dibs on any products.

If volunteers find things to purchase, they also receive a 40% discount after their shift. Shifts are typically three hours, but any length of time is welcome. UpCycle encourages volunteers of all ages to participate.

Contact UpCycle Ohio at 740-447-9014 or email info@upcycleohio.com.

Passion Works Studio Passion Works Studio, a community arts center, promotes working artists with developmental disabilities. Located at 20 East State St., Passion Works is a collaborative space that gives artists the chance to express themselves. Volunteers get hands-on experience by helping prepare art materials, so be sure to wear clothes that are safe to get paint on!

Passion Works Studio also has several ways to volunteer without being in the space. It’s encouraged to interact with Passion Works Studio social media pages, share a message online about why you enjoy the studio or make a card, drawing or letter for an artist and send it to the studio.

The studio only hosts a limited number of volunteers due to COVID-19, so interested participants can sign up for shifts at givepul. se/76hbfd. Also, volunteers must be fully vaccinated.

For more information, call 740-592-3673 or visit passionworks.org.

Good Works, Inc. Good Works, Inc. is a Christian community organization that helps people experiencing poverty or homeless in rural Appalachia.

ILLUSTRATION BY LAUREN ADAMS Good Works Inc. has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, and there is something for all interests. At the Timothy House, a temporary place for people experiencing homelessness, volunteers can help with different tasks, such as serving and cooking meals, socializing with the house members, organizing the food pantry and cleaning. Another program is Friday Night Life, a community event hosted every Friday evening.

Volunteers assist by providing rides to and from the event, preparing meals and helping organize fun activities like crafts or sports. If you like to get your hands dirty, try volunteering with Good Works Property Maintenance by doing things like gardening, painting and lawn mowing. Volunteers must take a tour of the facilities and fill out a volunteer application. Good Works, Inc. can be reached at email@good-works.net or 740-594-3339.

mation.

Visit good-works.net for more volunteer infor-

Head Start

Southeast Ohio Foodbank & Regional Kitchen The Southeast Ohio Foodbank & Regional Kitchen is a Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, or HAPCAP, division based in Logan, Ohio. According to its website, 1 in 6 individuals and 1 in 4 children struggle with hunger in Southeast Ohio.

As an individual or in a group, volunteers can pack monthly food boxes, deliver Mealson-Wheels, prepare meals and assist at local food distribution sites. Facilities are located across the ten-county region: Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton and Washington.

To lend a helping hand, email volunteer@ hapcap.org or call 740-385-6813.

Head Start is a federal program for low-income families that provides free preschool for children ages three to five. Through the Head Start program, volunteers work in the classroom by assisting with clean-up and lunch and engaging with them on the playground.

Volunteers receive training and guidance on rules and expectations before starting.

If volunteering more than three days a month, participants must complete a background check and physical exam. Head Start will assist in arranging the background check and provide a form for the physical. Centers are located in six different counties.

To learn more about volunteering for Head Start, check out hapcap.org/opportunities/ volunteer/ or call the main office at 800-8681093.

@COLANT_JULIANA JC079419@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21

the weekender MakerSpace and ACPL encourage upcycling through togetherness KAYLA BENNETT ASST. CULTURE EDITOR

The Athens County Public Libraries, or ACPL, are official partners with UpCycle Ohio: Community MakerSpace projects and, together, the two organizations have been able to foster a system that is beneficial for everyone involved.

Erin Hogan, associate librarian on the adult programming team at ACPL, said one of the things the organizations want to emphasize and support is to create opportunities for people in the area to upcycle.

“We thought along the lines as a partnership that we could do a program that would allow area teams to have some options for DIY fashion, specifically related to prom preparations on a budget and see what they could make that would be really unique just for them but also incorporate upcycling,” Hogan said.

Events like ones at the MakerSpace are also being held at different library branches to make these events more accessible for a wider variety of people, Pauline Phillips, manager of Community MakerSpace, said. Though the event, this weekend will be held at the MakerSpace, 751 W. Union St. The free event Saturday, April 16, and Saturday, April 23, will be in preparation for prom. Those attending prom can customize and upcycle their formal wear. The people who come into the MakerSpace are able to shop through fabric, ribbons and beans that are for sale, and the library will cover the cost.

“We want to make sure that this is open to people of all income levels, and they have an opportunity for the formal wear as a base and then the supplies,” Hogan said.

Becca Lachman, communications officer for ACPL, said the libraries used to be a part of a local group of institutions 22 / APRIL 14, 2022

and nonprofits who decided to collaborate with Rural Action when ReUse closed down.

“They wanted to resurrect some of the services from that institution for the community, so Rural Action stepped in, and so did the libraries,” Lachman said.

“One major way we did that is we resurrected the free Tool Library that’s out there at the MakerSpace, so they run it, but it’s technically the Athens County Public Library’s Tool Library.”

The library works to provide items for everyone who walks through the MakerSpace’s door.

Phillips said the MakerSpace also hosts a plethora of other classes, like a mending circle and an alterations class as well as a couple of classes through the woodshop, and the MakerSpace is potentially adding welding classes in the future.

“I think really the big thing is as a space and through our collaborations with the library and the other people that we’ve partnered with, our goal overall is to help people gain a wider breadth of experience with resiliency and self-sufficiency,” Phillips said.

Lachman said the libraries are all about partnering with institutions in Athens because then they are able to reach more people.

“That is one reason why we have that close partnership with (the MakerSpace): we saw the resources they had been able to offer, and we didn’t want them to go away,” Lachman said.

Phillips said many of the events are age-specific, but this upcoming one is for those attending prom, though the MakerSpace is a welcoming environment for everyone. Hogan, Phillips and Lachman encourage anyone interested to attend the event or look into attending an event to learn the ways of upcycling through community.

“It’s Earth Month. There’s always

reasons to be thinking about, ‘OK, how can we reuse something or upcycle it?’”

Lachman said.

@KKAYYBEN KB084519@OHIO.EDU

IF YOU GO WHAT: Make With Us: MakerSpace Prom Prep WHERE: Saturday, April 16, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

WHEN: Community Makerspace, 751 W. Union St. ADMISSION: Free

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Make an outfit, see a play MIMI CALHOUN FOR THE POST

FRIDAY, APRIL 15 NIGHT SKIES: NAVAJO TEXTILES DEPICTING SANDPAINTINGS AT THE KENNEDY MUSEUM OF ART, 100 RIDGES CIRCLE, FROM 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. COME SEE 12 FEATURED WEAVINGS FROM THE EDWIN L. AND RUTH E. KENNEDY SOUTHWEST NATIVE AMERICAN COLLECTION (SWNA).

ADMISSION: FREE

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

SHILPA RAY, THE D-RAYS, TETNIS AND PEACHFUZZ PRESENTED BY BLACKOUT BOOKING AT THE UNION, 18 W. UNION ST. DOORS OPEN AT 7 P.M. JOIN THE PARTY AND ENJOY SOME ROCK ‘N’ ROLL. ADMISSION: $12 COVER SUNDAY, APRIL 17 WHEN THERE WAS MUSIC: A REGENCY LOVE STORY PRESENTED BY ARTS/ WEST, 132 W. STATE ST., FROM 2 P.M. TO 3:30 P.M. AND FROM 8 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M. THE PLAY TAKES PLACE DURING THE REGENCY ERA AND IS ABOUT LOVE VERSUS DUTY.

Equity Director of THE POST for the 2022-2023 academic year This position leads the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts of THE POST, duties include:

ADMISSION: $10

@MIMI_CALHOUN MC300120@OHIO.EDU

ADMISSION: FREE THE AAPI PANEL, HOSTED BY THE ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER STUDENT UNION, ATHENS ASIAN AMERICAN ALLIANCE AND AAPI-LEAD WILL BE AT WALTER HALL FROM 7 P.M. TO 9 P.M. LEARN ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION’S FOUNDINGS AND CELEBRATE THE ENDING OF AAPI HERITAGE WEEK. A VIRTUAL OPTION IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE AAPISU’S INSTAGRAM BIO. ADMISSION: FREE SATURDAY, APRIL 16 MAKE WITH US: MAKERSPACE PROM PREP AT THE COMMUNITY MAKERSPACE, 751 W. UNION ST., FROM 3 P.M. TO 6 P.M. UPCYCLE A UNIQUE PROM LOOK OR AN EVERYDAY OUTFIT WITH SEWING AND NON-SEWING OPTIONS. BRING YOUR OWN CLOTHES OR USE SOME DONATED FORMAL PIECES WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. AMISSION: FREE STROUDS RUN SPRING WILDFLOWERS, 11661 STATE PARK ROAD, WILL OCCUR FROM 2:30 P.M. TO 4:30 P.M. TAKE A HIKE AND SEE WILDFLOWERS WITH THE NATURALIST. MEET AND PARK AT THE GROUP CAMP PASS THE CAMPGROUNDS.

•

Lead the diversity teams efforts

•

Consult for the recruitment team to plan events through a diverse and inclusive lens

•

Attend recruitment events to discuss efforts to diversify the staff and areas of coverage

•

Attend section meetings weekly to give input on section-specific efforts

•

Compile and deliver reports on each section’s strides toward diversity and equity goals

•

plan community outreach events

•

Garner “community critique” speakers and townhall events

•

Plan monthly check-ins with campus centers and organizations that serve underrepresented communities

INTERESTED?

Email questions to: Ryan Maxin rm554219@ohio.edu

LETTER OF INTENT DUE 4.14.22 RESUME AND PROPOSAL DUE 4.19.22 proposal should include: 1.

why you believe you’re the best candidate for the position; 2. what plans you have to improve the diversity, equity and inclusion at The Post; 3. how you will prioritize equity and communication in your position’s capacity and 4. how your experience prepares you for the role.

EMAIL TO: editor@thepostathens.com THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 23

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