October 28, 2021

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

OU students discuss the rise of K-pop PG 8-9 Uptown Costumes has a long history in Athens PG 14 Halloween costume ideas for procrastinators on campus PG 20

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

For OU, ‘The Post’ staff, Halloween reigns supreme my brother and I would go home and carve them with my dad at our kitchen table. My mom would sometimes bake the pumpkin seeds for us to snack on as we worked on our creations. I always looked forward to this tradition.

Abby Neff, news reporter

ABBY MILLER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

My twin and I were born four days before Halloween, so most of our birthday parties growing up were Halloween-themed. When I was a freshman at OU, Halloween weekend happened to fall on my birthday. It was the first one I was going to celebrate without my twin.

On the morning of my birthday, I invited my friends to Union Street Diner for breakfast. One of my best friends from home (shoutout Caroline Bissonette) told me she was running late. As she finally walked down West Union Street, I noticed someone hiding behind her. The small figure was carrying cupcakes and shared my hair color.

It was my twin; she had surprised me in Athens! Needless to say, I will never forget my first Halloween at OU.

Emma Skidmore, news editor

Ashley Beach, slot editor

There’s a little family-owned pumpkin patch that lies just outside of town in Waynesville, Ohio, that my family went to every year when I was younger. They had a small yet striking selection of pumpkins and would give you Utz Halloween pretzels with every purchase. Then,

I grew up on a Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan. I went to school and base and formed a whole community with kids having similar life experiences. Halloween was the one day a year the gates were open to the kids who lived off-base to trick-or-treat. I’ll never forget the sheer number of kids who showed up and flooded our neighborhood, everyone meeting and talking about their costumes. Living overseas is one of my most special life experiences, and I am so happy to hold this memory close to my heart.

Mikayla Rochelle, opinion editor

Last year for Halloween, I dressed up as Kylo Ren from Star Wars. I ran into a girl who was dressed up as Leia, and as we were complimenting each other’s costumes, another random girl walked up to us who was dressed as Padme (that’s three generations of Star Wars characters). We took a picture together and got to hang out for a while and geek out over our mutual love for the franchise. It was just an awesome example of how bobcat friendships can start with something as simple as “I love your costume!” Halloween in Athens is a great way to hang out with your friends, but it’s also a great time to make new ones, too.

Original Halloween movie. Twitches, Halloweentown and Hocus Pocus are some of my favorites, but my all time favorite is Mostly Ghostly. Those movies seem to transport me back to my childhood home, where I picture myself laying in a homemade fort with my little brother in our living room, sipping on a cup full of hot apple cider with the biggest grin on my face when the screen goes black before the title appears. There is something special about a time of year that makes you feel like a kid again, and Halloween seems to be the first moment each year that truly takes me back to that time in my life.

Kayla Bennett, assistant culture editor

Riley Runnells, culture editor

Halloween has always been my favorite time of the year. Not only do I love dressing up as really fun characters, but growing up, it was a special time to bond with my dad. He was in Colorado as the bench coach for the Colorado Rockies for eight months out of the year, but he’d always make it home by Halloween and take me and my friends out trick-or-treating. Together, we’d dress up as the Mad Hatter and Alice from Alice in Wonderland, Jack Skellington and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Daddy Warbucks and Annie from Annie and so many more. Now that I’m at school, I still dress up and go out to enjoy the Athens Halloween festivities, but I always feel nostalgic around this holiday thinking about my bonding time with my dad.

Molly Wilson, assistant news editor

This is my first Halloween in Athens, and I can’t wait to see what it has in store, but I’ll always remember the traditions back home. A tradition I dearly remember and cherish is one of my grandma’s. She makes popcorn balls for all her trick-or-treaters and always makes extra for my two brothers and me. I’m looking forward to dressing up this year but can’t help but miss my grandma’s homemade treats.

Correction: The Bam & Bros Barbershop story that appeared on page four of the Oct. 21 issue stated the wrong spelling of Geoff “Razor” West’s name, the wrong walk-in price and the incorrect statement that the stop primarily gets its customers through appointments.

There is nothing better than a Disney Channel

COVER PHOTO BY ALAINA DACKERMANN

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 Eli Feazell 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, Ashley Beach, Bekah Bostick, Isabel Nissley ART ART DIRECTOR Mary Berger ASST. ART DIRECTOR Olivia Juenger 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 / OCT. 28, 2021

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ISSUE 10, VOLUME 112

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End of Stimson Avenue construction may be in sight SOPHIA YOUNG STAFF WRITER After nearly 11 months of construction, road closures and blockages, the Stimson Avenue improvement project is nearing completion.

The project is currently in phase two, which consists of construction on the south half of the road.

Since mid-August, only one lane of westbound traffic has been accessible, with eastbound traffic detoured to East State Street. The end of phase two is slated for November, according to the city’s published schedule.

Though paving efforts have been delayed due to weather constraints, the project contractor, Trucco Construction, is expecting to complete paving next week, weather permitting. Once paving is completed, work on sidewalks, driveways and pavement markings will commence before the road fully opens, Jessica Adine, assistant city engineer, said. The city is currently working with the contractor to determine when that may be.

Phase one of the project took place from March to mid-August and focused on construction of the north end of the street. Earlier in the year, pre-phases centered on intersections and utility installation.

The comprehensive street project to update the crucial Athens roadway was first discussed by City Council in spring 2020, approving a timeline and budget for the project.

According to a previous Post report, the rehabilitation costs amount to over $7 million, which is funded largely through grants and loans. The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Ohio Small Cities Grant contributes $2 million in addition to $400,000 from the Ohio Public Works Commission Loan Fund and a $5 million loan from the Ohio Department of Transportation. That loan will be repaid from the city’s Street Rehabilitation Fund over the next 20 years, according to the report.

Construction began in January 2021 to replace city-owned utilities, install decorative lighting, upgrade traffic signals, replace curbs and sidewalks and to install higher visibility crosswalks and a new concrete roadway.

Overall, the project’s purpose is to improve safety and promote accessibility in one of the city’s important arterial passageways, Adine said. The corridor’s last updates were completed in the 1970s.

Though infrastructure pieces will be completed toward the end of 2021, beautification elements, including landscaping, will be installed in spring 2022, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said. The completed roadway will also include a median between the two lanes of traffic from Elliot Street to Grant Street, according to a drawing of the project.

Throughout the project, access to businesses has been maintained, though the city has faced a few challenges as well, namely, with infrastructure underground. Adine said several underground conflicts had

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to be resolved before underground utility installation could be completed. She also described the underground utilities installation as a contributing factor to the length of the project.

@SOPHIELISEY SY951319@OHIO.EDU

Stimson Avenue in Athens is undergoing construction, creating new driving patterns for community members.

(KELSEY BOEING | FOR THE POST)

Ohio University Halloween Weekend PARKING RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL VEHICLES PARKED ON OHIO UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

from 7:00 pm SAT. OCT 26th through 7:00 am SUN. OCT 27th

MUST clearly display a current, valid Ohio University parking permit.

Vehicles displaying permits that cannot be read or have been reported as lost or stolen will not be honored.

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ALL vehicles must be parked in a legal, valid space WITH an accompanying Ohio University parking permit.

Guest parking permits will not be issued during this time.

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Pay-by-hour parking will be available at any meter or pay-by-space surface lot on campus- All meter fees must be paid. Vehicles parked at an expired/unpaid meter or hourly space are subject to violation.

Vehicles not clearly displaying a current, valid permit or parked illegally will be issued a $150 fine at the owner/ driver’s expense Please visit the Transportation & Parking Services Website www.ohio.edu/transportation-parking Review the Announcement Section for more in-depth parkingrelated information. Transportation & Parking Services may also be reached at 740-593-1917.

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Over 80 deaths in Athens County due to COVID-19; OU School of Nursing holds Salkowski said while the drive usually includes more activ- tal and institutional factors affect educational opportunities, Halloween blood drive EMMA SKIDMORE NEWS EDITOR Nursing students hold annual Halloween blood drive amid nationwide shortage

Ohio University’s School of Nursing held its annual Halloween blood drive, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Baker Center Ballroom.

The organizations aimed to collect 200 units for patients in need. This year, the need for blood is exacerbated by a shortage throughout the country due to COVID-19.

Marita Salkowski, regional communications director for the central and southern Ohio region of the Red Cross, said compared to previous fall seasons, it is not seeing the same turnout.

Cameron McCay, president of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Organization, or BSNO, said the blood drive is one of the largest in the region. McCay said all in attendance were required to wear masks and social distance. To mitigate crowding, the drive was by appointment only, McCay said.

ities, it had to be scaled back this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. McCay said she hopes the drive will get The Red Cross back on track with its collection and support surrounding communities and hospitals.

particularly among students in marginalized communities.

Nguyen encourages students to engage in help-seeking behaviors and reminds them they do not need a set path after graduation. There isn’t a single path to success, he said.

David Nguyen named as fall commencement speaker

Seven new COVID-19 deaths reported this week

David Nguyen, interim associate dean for research and graduate studies in the Patton College of Education, is slated to speak at fall commencement in December.

Nguyen is also an associate professor of higher education and student affairs in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education as well as the provost’s faculty fellow for student success. He first started at OU in 2016.

Nguyen said being named as commencement speakers is a “tremendous honor” and expressed his gratitude to the students who nominated him in addition to the committee’s selection of him.

Nguyen’s extensive research on student success is informed by his own experiences, where he recalled struggling nearly to the point of academic probation and challenges asking for help and guidance. He studies how both environmen-

Seven COVID-19 deaths were reported by the Athens City-County Health Department the week of Oct. 24, bringing the total to over 80 deaths in the county.

As of Wednesday, there were 342 active cases, which is a decrease from the number of active cases earlier in the month, in Athens, according to the health department. However, the county remains in the red risk level of the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, communicating very high levels of COVID-19 exposure and spread.

48.3% of Athens residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with 45.37% of residents being fully vaccinated as of Wednesday.

@E_SKIDMOREGS ES320518@OHIO.EDU

POLICE BLOTTER

Wanted man arrested; man flagged down deputy at car wash ANNA MILLAR FOR THE POST

Deputies told the man they did not have lockout gear with him and gave him instructions on who to contact.

family member, who told them the occupant had moved out.

Gotcha!

Quiet Down

Deputies received a trespassing report on Cooper Road in Athens, according to the sheriff’s office. The caller said a man was outside of her home after having been told he could not be there.

The man left before deputies arrived.

The matter is under investigation.

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man from the most wanted list living at a residence in The Plains. When deputies searched the residence, they were told the man had just left in a silver vehicle.

Deputies found a vehicle matching the description shortly after, and they stopped the vehicle. The man driving the car was the suspect, Mark Burson, and was taken into custody.

He was transported to Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail without incident.

Don’t Forget Your Keys

While on patrol in The Plains, deputies were flagged down from a car wash, according to the sheriff’s office. The man who flagged them down said he had locked himself out of his car.

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The sheriff’s office responded to a noise complaint in Athens Township. When deputies arrived, they told the resident about the noise complaint, and the volume was lowered.

Burglarized or Abandoned?

The sheriff’s office responded to The Plains in regards to a report of a possible burglary. The caller said his neighbor’s home looked as though it was broken into, and he was unable to contact his neighbor to be sure.

When deputies arrived, all doors on the home were closed, although they did appear to be slightly damaged. They were unsure whether the damage was already there or not.

Deputies tried to make contact with the neighbor. However, they were unable to do so. They did make contact with a

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The sheriff’s office responded to Maple Street in Glouster in regards to a reckless driver complaint.

Deputies searched the area but were unable to find the reported vehicle.

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Athens food truck owner seeks vending license in face of possible increase in penalties for unlicensed vendors LYDIA COLVIN FOR THE POST An Athens food truck owner is looking for approval of a vending license amid Athens City Council introducing an ordinance that would increase the penalties for unlicensed vendors.

James Wanke, owner of the Hot Shots Food Truck, was denied a vending license by the Athens City Code Enforcement Office due to his truck being too large.

Food trucks must be a maximum of 20 feet in order to fit into a parking spot for vendors, but Wanke’s food truck was measured to be 28-and-a-half feet, David Riggs, director of code enforcement for the city, said.

Riggs said Wanke was recommended by his office to apply for a variance that would allow for the larger truck. However, he said Wanke would have to come to the city code office to make a request for the variance but hasn’t done so. The variance, once requested, would have to be approved by the

Board of Zoning Appeals.

The cost to request a variance is $75 plus advertising costs, and the cost of a vending category A license is $125 per month.

The new ordinance, introduced by Councilman Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward, during the Council meeting Oct. 18 and up for second reading Nov. 1, would increase the penalties for vendors who are found guilty of vending unlicensed or in unpermitted places. Those penalties include jail time, starting at a maximum of 30 days in jail for a second offense and increasing for each subsequent offense.

Currently, any person found guilty of breaking city vending regulations cannot be punished by jail time, only fined.

Risner said the ordinance came from Andy Stone, city service safety director, and Mayor Steve Patterson’s office. He also said it is in response to Lisa Eliason, the city law director, not having adequate means to enforce vending laws.

“That’s why we stiffened the penalties, is to get the attention of people that yes, there are some consequences that

you probably don’t want to have inflicted upon you,” Risner said.

Wanke said he has been cited by city code officers around eight to ten times for operating an unlicensed food truck and believes he is one of the reasons for the introduction of the new ordinance.

However, Risner said the ordinance is not directed at any particular business. Its intention is to stop vendors from breaking city code, he said, especially vendors who are parking in unpermitted areas on city property. Vendors can only be cited by the city if they are on city property, not private.

“Go down on East Union Street and there’s ten spots there for vendors, and when is the last time you saw a vendor there?” Risner said. “That’s the legal place to do it … but you can’t do it on Court Street … but that’s where the vendors are going.”

For Wanke, he feels as though it is a choice between financially hurting both him and his employees by shutting down the food truck or trying to keep litigating the situation.

“Would I be willing to go to jail rather than face financial ruin or have to lay off my employees? Probably,” Wanke said. “So, I mean I feel like that’s where this is going.”

Wanke has a trial date Wednesday for the vending violations he has received.

He said he will continue to try challenging the violations, especially as he also believes his food truck should qualify for exemptions to the licensing procedures for vendors.

Those exemptions can be granted for “any natural person soliciting or peddling anything which such person has personally manufactured or produced,” according to Athens City Code, which Wanke believes he qualifies for because all the food from his truck is made from scratch.

Wanke said he has gotten many positive reviews from the community and feels the city doesn’t have an interest in helping his business. He said he has reached out to Patterson’s office and Stone many times but has not gotten a conclusive response.

@COLVIN_LYDIA LC844519@OHIO.EDU Brandon Fouts hands a chicken and waffles sandwich with a side of french fries to Sara Straub at the Hot Shots food truck parked in Athens, Ohio, on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. (NATE SWANSON | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 5

OU yet to open its esports facility due to a global chip shortage DONOVAN HUNT FOR THE POST Ohio University’s esports facility plans to open during Spring Semester 2022 after a global computer chip shortage delayed its opening, leaving Bobcat Esports members gaming at home.

According to a previous Post report, in January 2020, OU’s Board of Trustees approved a $650,000 plan to create an esports facility located in the basement of Scripps Hall. OU approved the plan to increase video game presence within the university, as stated in a previous Post report.

The esports program originally hoped to open in October 2021 and expected to purchase PCs and consoles, like Xbox and PlayStation, by that time.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many manufacturers to shut down their factories producing computer chips.

That caused a lack of availability, which made it much harder for the university to buy computer parts and new consoles for the facility.

Jeff Kuhn, director of OU’s esports program, said the program changed its expectations to a January 2022 opening date around eight or nine months ago and, currently, it is only waiting on PCs and consoles to become available. Kuhn said the esports program is contacting every vendor it can, and the vendors say they only have a few to sell.

“It’s not even at this point our timelines that matter but the timelines of our suppliers,” Kuhn said.

Now, the facility in the basement of Scripps remains locked, with blank whiteboards, empty couches and communal gaming areas fit with gaming chairs and desks that have monitors but no PCs beside them.

“We were about to play like these playoff matches for one of the leagues we were in, and one of our teammates lived in River Park, and the whole building’s power went out like 10 minutes before, and he had to drive over to one of our other friend’s houses and play at their house,” Johnathan Schneeman, an OU Rocket League player and a senior studying both psychology and sociology, said. “It was just a whole thing because then we had to wait for him to get there and get set up, and the other teams were waiting on us. It was just terrible, and I really feel like if we’re in a facility, that would not be happening.”

6 / OCT. 28, 2021

Dalen Gevedon, a fifth-year senior studying biochemistry and director of the Bobcat Esports team, said he was “bummed” when he heard the news about the delay because it’s his last full year at OU. However, Gevedon said he is not too upset because he will most likely have access to the facility in the spring.

“It’s nice to sit down next to your teammates and give them fist bumps when they score a nutty goal,” Gevedon said.

Schneeman also said the delay is disappointing because it’s his last year at the university and sees other schools competing that have a facility.

Many universities like The University of Akron, Ohio State University and Miami University all have esports facilities that

are currently operational. Schneeman said he would like to compete with the Rocket League team in the facility this spring.

“It’s just so much more fun playing right next to your friends,” Schneeman said Schneeman also believes opening the facility will bring OU’s teams closer to varsity status. Schneeman also said none of OU’s competitive esports teams is technically varsity status because they do not have coaches and do not offer scholarships. He said many programs like The University of Akron’s, which completed its esports facility in 2018, provide coaches and scholarships to varsity-level students.

Akron’s Rocket League team went 12-0 in Esports Collegiate play, the conference Bobcat Esports competes in.

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER However, Schneeman said he wants the facility to open because he thinks it will grow the Bobcat Esports club.

“I’m most excited to be able to see all these other people that don’t have the best PCs and don’t have the best equipment that can come into the facility, sit down and play at a really nice computer, be able to run the games they want to run and be able to have a good time,” Schneeman said.

@DONOVANHUNT9 DH322621@OHIO.EDU

GAMES

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Appreciation Beyond Barriers

HANNAH BURKHART SENIOR WRITER

O

ver the past decade, K-pop and J-pop, popular music that originated in Korea and Japan, have made an imprint in the United States music industry, bringing to the table a widely adored sound, energetic performances and creative music videos.

Although its popularity rose in the U.S. over the past decade, K-pop music as it is known today has been around since 1987 in response to inspiration from Western music such as rock, pop, jazz and rap according to MasterClass. The Los Angeles Film School explains K-pop started in the 1950s with Korean girl group the Kim Sisters.

In short, the genres of K-pop and J-pop were around before the 21st Century, but their U.S. popularity skyrocketed in the 2010s. K-pop and J-pop differ in that K-pop has more R&B, pop and hip-hop influences, while J-pop does not borrow as much outside influences, focusing more on locally-based sounds. In their marketing tactics, K-pop acts borrow the western image of being “cool” and “sexy,” while J-pop acts focus more on cuteness.

Talia Horowitz, a sophomore at Ohio University studying mechanical engineering, is a longtime fan of K-pop and J-pop music who believes Americans have grown a deeper appreciation for K-pop and J-pop

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ILLUSTRATIONS BY OLIVIA JUENGER acts recently because unlike American mainstream artists, they have practically eliminated the barrier between artists and fans. Many K-pop and J-pop artists take the time to create genuine connections with their fans.

“The interaction is what caught people’s attention here,” Horowitz said. “With it being so different from what, like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Jay Z, like those kinds of artists here do with their fans because they’re very much detached almost in, not in a cold way, but in a very different way. And so once that caught on here, I think that K-pop groups saw that there was an opening in the market.”

Anne Judith Wik is a singer, songwriter and composer for the music publishing group Dsign Music. She works with K-pop, J-pop and Latin artists and groups to write English-language songs for them, and she is a part of the process of songmaking from the songwriting to the release. Wik was in-

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troduced to the K-pop genre in 2008 by her publisher at the time, and she said he explained to her that it was a huge market that no one knew about yet.

Wik broke down the process of creating a K-pop song for a group of writers.

First, the group receives a brief from the label. A brief is a detailed list of which artists are looking for songs, what types of songs they usually make and sometimes songs by other artists for reference of the sound they are looking for. Once the writers receive the brief, they sit together in a studio and decide which song they are interested in developing from the list.

“When the song is done, we pitch it back to our publisher who then, again, pitches it to the label and then it goes through a system,” Wik said. “They listen to all the songs they get that week and put points on each song. The song that gets the most points actually gets to be the single or gets to be part of the album.”

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Jargon in the English language, as well as the Korean and Japanese languages, is ever-changing, and people need to stay in the loop in order to keep up with the newest and most popular words or phrases.

Wik said she has Korean friends who help her out by giving her tips and sending her links to videos. She also does a lot of research on her own.

“I listen to a lot of music,” Wik said. “I think it’s super important when you write music to have an overview of what’s going on and be able to predict trends, because music goes in waves. It recycles itself, but always with a new twist, (it’s about) trying to decipher what that new twist will be.”

Wik said social media is a huge help when it comes to English jargon and trendy words or phrases. She said because of social media, trends spread much faster, rather than being localized. New fashions and music are at people’s fingertips at all times.

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For many, working with people who speak different languages may prove to be a challenge, but not for Wik. Some of the Korean songwriters and producers Wik has worked with have limited English skills, but she said it does not halt the creative process because making music is a universal art.

When everyone in the room is practically jumping up and down in excitement over the song, she knows they are headed in the right direction despite the language barrier.

“I have actually been in sessions where my co-writer, who was going to sing the demo, has actually written Korean lyrics on the spot that I don’t actually know what they mean,” Wik said. “I get a rough translation of it, and it’s exactly what I would have thought to write myself in English.”

Horowitz said once K-pop and J-pop artists noticed the opportunity to gain a large fanbase in the United States, they started to integrate more English songs in their discography, hold more United States tours and even learn fluent English.

She brought up the fact that there are still large audiences in the U.S. who do not appreciate K-pop music because they do not understand the lyrics and feel disconnected. She mentioned she thinks there are more reasons to listen to music than to understand the lyrics and that some Americans tend to be close-minded toward other cultures.

“They hear the Korean and they get defensive ... saying that they don’t like it because they don’t understand it when they could take the time if they really wanted to understand it, to look up those lyrics,” Horowitz said. “They could appreciate the beauty of the languages because that’s one of my things is like, I just love the way the other languages sound ... I think they’re gorgeous.”

Horowitz said it is frustrating when people with English as their first language cannot get past the barrier of not being able to understand Korean music because the artists spent a lot of time and effort

to learn English, which can be difficult to learn, especially as a second language, in order to communicate with their fans and create English songs. “(English is) a ridiculously difficult language,” Horowitz said. “And I can’t imagine the amount of work that they put into it.”

One of the most recent hits Wik was on the writing table for was South Korean girl group Red Velvet’s “QUEENDOM.” She said the writer’s table was four women, which, in the music industry, is impressive, as the business side of the industry is frequently male-dominated. The track was written in record time because it had that once-ina-lifetime flow to it, Wik said.

“I think we finished that whole session in about like, four-and-a-half hours, writing and recording everything, and then obviously there was some post-production,” Wik said. “But like the writing of the song and the recording of the song happened really fast and it really came out so good.”

Wik also has experience working with J-pop artists. She said Japan is a lucrative market, and physical sales, like CDs, are still a big deal there. She said it is an important market because the revenues are so great, and she has experienced nothing but positivity when working in the market.

Some of the first big cuts she helped write were for Japanese superstar Namie Amuro. Amuro was a cultural icon in Japan starting in the mid-1990s, and she returned to the industry in the 2000s, receiving even more attention and love than before.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some singles with her that have done really well,” Wik said. “Those songs were released in 2009, 2010 and we still see revenue from those songs, so they have longevity, and it’s a very big deal to get placements with such an institution like Namie Amuro.

She’s adored by people and she’s like a legend.”

Wik said Korean and Japanese music differ in terms of their melodies. J-pop still has pop elements, but it’s a blend of the genres that resonate in Japan.

“It’s like pop, but with elements of jazz — like elements of jazz chords and all that — but it’s still pop music,” Wik said. “That’s the thing that you should be mindful of when you’re writing melodies and you’re writing songs for J-pop artists … melody changes because the amount of syllables in a language are different.”

Kanna Taniuchi, who works alongside Wik at DSign Music, said recognizing the similarities and differences between western culture and Asian cultures is important, and one of the ways this awareness can be spread is through listening to diverse music.

“As I am from Japan, (I believe) it’s important to expand our culture to the West and share what we have,” Taniuchi said in

a text message.

Stevanie Montgomery, a junior studying nursing, said she believes English-speaking people in the U.S. are showing appreciation for something different from what they are used to, despite the language barrier.

“It makes me happy that people listen to it more because it’s just like something different,” Montgomery said. “It gives a lot of opportunity for Asian Americans in general, just seeing them being recognized and having some type of inclusion.”

Montgomery said she thinks the reason people still avoid listening to K-pop is centered around ignorance and the fact that they do not have the open-mindedness to listen to different types of music. She said because it has become so mainstream, people are starting to realize there is more music outside of American pop music.

Montgomery said she feels BTS and other boy groups in particular have such large fan bases because of their talents outside of singing. They are known for their choreography in both live performances and music videos, and when people noticed their musical talents as well as their intricate choreographies, they were drawn to them.

Montgomery said that before K-pop

artists and groups started expanding their knowledge on the English language, they were only making Korean songs, and the majority of Americans ignored them until they started creating English songs. She has been listening to the genre for a while now, and the language differences in the music have never been a hindrance to her enjoyment of it.

“I’m a very versatile listener,” Montgomery said. “I’ve been listening to K-pop music since I’d say 2016, 2017. Literally, I was just binge watching a whole bunch of random stuff on Youtube and I saw like, Girls’ Generation, and I was like ‘oh my God, they’re so cool.’”

Yang Chen, a senior studying finance and graphic design, has listened to K-pop since middle school. He said K-pop songs have an impact on his mood. For example, listening to songs like “After a Long Time”

by Baek Ji-Young puts him in a somber mood, while listening to songs like “Miniskirt” by AOA, just makes him feel happy, even making him want to get on his feet to dance.

@HANNAHNOELBURK HB239417@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9

ILLUSTRATION BY LAUREN ADAMS

Athens holds a rich, unexplained history of haunts COLE PATTERSON FOR THE POST Since being founded in 1800, Athens has accumulated quite a rich history. With that history comes a lot of strange, unexplained events and occurrences.

Athens is considered to be one of the most haunted places in Ohio. This is due to its mysterious legends and terrifying stories, mixed with its many creepy cemeteries, landmarks and the famous historic asylum.

The Ridges, formerly the Athens Lunatic Asylum, is one of the better known haunted places in Athens. The Ridges currently serves many purposes for the university, like providing a home for the Ohio University Police Department and the Kennedy Museum of Art; however, it once housed thousands of patients from its opening in 1874 until its closing in 1993 as an asylum.

There are many haunted legends that have originated from The Ridges. It is said that its former patients and staff are who haunt the complex, walking the halls late at night, sure to make their presence known.

The most known story from The Ridges is the story of Margaret Schilling. Schilling went missing from her 10 / OCT. 28, 2021

ward on Dec. 1, 1978 and wasn’t found until Jan. 12, 1979.

Schilling had free roam of the grounds and on the day she went missing, she ended up in a room on the fourth floor of the east wing.

“They located Margaret, apparently she had removed all of her clothing, folded it up all very nice and neatly and put it on the windowsill,” Tom O’Grady, director of development and outreach at the Southeast Ohio History Center, said. “She laid down on a concrete floor in front of this large bay window, and then, at some point, folded her arms over chest and eventually curled up and passed away.”

The Ridges is full of eerie stories, but it’s only one of a handful of places in Athens that will cause chills. Another notable haunted place in Athens is Simms Cemetery.

Simms Cemetery is named after a former resident and judge of Athens, John Simms, who passed away in 1861 and is buried in the cemetery. As legend has it, the cemetery is said to move, making it incredibly difficult to find.

Another haunted cemetery in Athens is the Haning Cemetery, which connects to a former resident of Shively Hall. In the 1970s, a female resident of Shively

had a strange, strong attraction to the Haning Cemetery. It was assumed that she was a former witch, being called back to her roots at the cemetery.

A lot of strange deaths have happened in Athens, specifically in residence halls on OU’s campus. The Convocation Center once housed a resident assistant who was killed by her boyfriend. It is said that she still walks the halls, making sure her residents are still safe.

Jefferson Hall is filled with strange occurrences, many students report.

A former resident of Jefferson Hall, Izzy Gibbs, a sophomore studying communication studies, also reports experiencing unexplainable things.

“We were sleeping with all the windows open, and then I woke up.” Gibbs said. “All of the curtains were floating in the room. It was very eerie and ominous with the lighting. Then the door just kept opening and slamming, and opening and slamming. I couldn’t move.”

The theme of strange occurrences can also be found in other university affiliated properties. The Ohio University Inn is said to be haunted by a couple ghosts.

In the late 1980s, a man died of a heart attack in one of the rooms on property while staying with his family.

Every year around the anniversary of his death, there is an uptick in paranormal activity.

Gabby Beeler, a sophomore studying communication studies, has worked on and off at the Ohio University Inn for four years. She has experienced a large amount of paranormal activity, especially around the anniversary of the man’s death.

“I was working and it was about 11:30 at night ... I get a call,” Beeler said. “I know there’s nobody in that room, but I wanted to make sure. I pick up (the phone) and I can hear heavy breathing ... it goes on for about 30 seconds and it hangs up.”

Beeler’s story gets even stranger, however. She soon sees that the same room that called her at the front desk was now calling 911. She attempted to call the room back but got no answer.

“Turns out the room called 911 seven times,” Beeler said. “That’s how many calls the family made when they discovered the dad in the hotel room.”

As a result of old age, mysterious deaths and bizzare legends, it’s no wonder Athens is suspected to be haunted. There is one place that happens to get a bit more attention, however. Wilson Hall is argued to be the most haunted building on OU’s campus and in all of Athens.

Wilson Hall is said to be at the center of a pentagram, formed by connecting five local cemeteries. On top of that, just like most of OU’s campus, it was built on top of ancient Indian burial grounds.

Residents of Wilson Hall have reported everything from seeing apparitions and flying objects to hearing voices and doors slamming.

“On more than a few occasions, I distinctly remember setting my alarm and then I’ll wake up in the morning and the alarm was never set,” Jeremy Fellows, a freshman studying pre-engineering, said.

Athens Ohio is truly home to both a rich history and creepy record of strange occurrences, and some students might experience something similar during their time at OU.

@COLEPATT0717 CP676419@OHIO.EDU

‘State of the Arts Exhibit’ emphasizes important relationship between art teachers, students LAUREN SERGE STAFF WRITER Until Nov. 2, Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts will hold the “State of the Arts: Mentor + Mentee Exhibition,” which is available to view in Seigfred Hall on the fifth floor at the usual gallery hours.

The exhibition, which has occurred biannually for several years, features artwork from art educators around the state in addition to work created by their students. The specific mentor and mentee theme was implemented in 2019 and was utilized once again this year.

Hillary Gattian, interim gallery coordinator, said the approach to the event has evolved over the years to not only encourage attendance at OU but also to showcase diverse artwork from around Ohio.

“It got started as a way to connect with other schools in the state, hopefully as a way to encourage interest in instructors sending their students to us at Ohio University,” Gattian said, “But also as a way to give them an opportunity to exhibit their work.”

Matthew Shaftel, dean of the College of Fine Arts, said the importance of this event

is to encourage teachers to pursue their artistic creations outside of the classroom.

“Art belongs to everybody,” Shaftel said.

“And so to value that and to show how important that is in our educational system and what an important tool that is for helping to create relationships and develop relationships is important. But also, we really wanted to make sure that art educators felt empowered to be fully creative artists because, sometimes, the daily work of being an educator takes you away from your own creation. And we want to really highlight how creative and artistic and important it is for educators out in the field to continue their practice … and how inspiring that can be to young artists.”

Shannon Fish, a visual art teacher at Lancaster High School, is one of the 16 instructors in the exhibition. Fish, who graduated from OU in 2007, emphasized this idea that art instructors, once they graduate, often are not able to flex their artistic muscles as freely.

“As art teachers, it’s a lot of times hard to also think of yourself as an artist because you spend all day making messes and giving away creativity,” Fish said. “But I think it’s also important that as an art

teacher that you practice your craft. So, this exhibit showcases that not only do we teach this content, but we also create art as well.”

The requirements for the show’s submissions, Shaftel said, were very broad and enabled teachers and their respective students to submit work that does not follow a set medium or theme.

“It could be sculpture; it could be photography; it could be painting,” Shaftel said.

“And what is typical is that the teacher and the student will submit in the same medium. So, one submits a painting, the other person submits a painting, but that’s not required. Sometimes, the two artworks seem related but, lots of times, you can imagine what the shared influences are.”

Gattian said the significance of the exhibition is to inspire current students at OU to continue pursuing their work and also to challenge their traditional perceptions of art.

“Instead of the show just being a singular medium, the artists are just working in whatever they choose to do as independent artists,” Gattian said. “They also have artists’ statements, which I think is a great learning tool for students working on their own work to see the visual outcome of a

work and then the intended content behind it, so they can apply that to their own work as an artist as well.”

For OU students who may attend the exhibit, Shaftel said it is impactful in that it exposes them to different local art and the importance of students and teachers connecting through art.

“I think it’s a great way to engage in an exhibit because then you can see how teachers and students work together, that shared influence, or the mentor-mentee relationship often comes through in the art,” Shaftel said. “It’s an opportunity to see artwork from artists from around Ohio in a way that maybe you don’t see in some of our other exhibits because (they) get to see different influences and different connections from across the state.”

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OPINION

OU must sell surplus properties to save its future — but not all of them HANNAH CAMPBELL ASST. OPINION EDITOR The COVID-19 pandemic has caused great losses for many. For OU, many new losses are necessary to save the future of the school.

Ohio University’s Board of Trustees approved a plan this month to reduce real estate spending on unused and abandoned spaces. The plan names 21 buildings, including portions of The Ridges and Lasher and Haning halls, for lease or potential sale.

The potential sale of surplus buildings may look like a loss for the university; however, Dominick Brook, the director of real estate at OU, said it may be beneficial to sell these properties if they do not have a specific purpose.

“The university is looking to become more efficient and effective,” Brook said. “We have a lot of real estate that hasn’t been contributing to the academic mission of the university.

If (a property) can’t contribute academically and if (the university) can’t lease it to con-

tribute financially, that is what determines whether to move onto a sale.”

Brook said his team works closely with departments like facilities management and looks at factors such as space usage and financial costs when considering which buildings get demolished, leased, sold or maintained.

While the university will benefit from selling abandoned properties that do not serve any purpose, other campus buildings like Scott Quad are worth maintaining for student and faculty use.

The plan approved by the Board of Trustees also outlines plans to remove certain campus buildings like Scott Quad, a beloved dorm appreciated for its proximity to classroom buildings and more.

Although the Board of Trustees announced intentions to renovate the dorm in August, the board now approved its demolition because of its current vacancy and high amount of deferred maintenance.

OU has accumulated over $500 million in deferred maintenance, which is delayed repairs and

upkeep of campus buildings, including residence halls and classrooms. After a certain time period of usage for products in a dorm or classroom, the needed upkeep or replacement is considered deferred maintenance.

Built in 1937, the property was used as army training units and housing for men and women over the years. Most recently, it housed departments of OUPD and UCM as well as classrooms and a residence hall.

Steve Wood, chief facilities officer at OU, said the decision to demolish Scott Quad included factors such as the need for housing and office space on campus, how the space was currently being used and how the space aligned to the university’s future needs.

“When we looked at the number of residence halls and rooms that we had, Housing and Residence Life determined that they didn’t need it as a residence hall anymore,” Wood said. “Then, the spaces that had been used for administrative offices were basically not very efficient for their use … and to the point where it’s just not fully occupied and

Since Hebbardsville Farm is unoccupied, the university is currently looking for a strategic partner to lease the property.

(HANNAH CAMPBELL | OPINION EDITOR)

12 / OCT. 28, 2021

the cost to not just restore it to what it is but to renovate it to a usable function to the university became prohibitive.”

Kim Czulewicz, a senior studying psychology, lived in Scott Quad during the 2018-2019 school year. She said she loved her experience and felt as though the dorms were in decent condition, and she doesn’t remember having any issues that required maintenance.

“The placement of the dorm itself was perfect, and I loved that as well,” Czulewicz said in an email.

Czulewicz was disappointed to hear the dorm will be demolished, as she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else her freshman year.

“That dorm was perfect to me,” Czulewicz said in an email. “Even living in a New South dorm the following year, nothing compared to Scott Quad. With the personalized brick paintings and the floor plans, the courtyard and the RAs there, it was a great dorm that I always recommended to people and I wish they would just renovate it rather than demolish it.”

Another factor that determined Scott Quad’s removal is the lack of student interest in living there. Jneanne Hacker, interim executive director of Housing and Residence Life, said Housing and Residence Life’s data showed many first-year students did not choose Scott Quad as their first choice residence hall.

Data may have shown a lack of interest, but Czulewicz argued that she felt a sense of belonging and community the dorm intended to give students.

“Everyone was very welcoming and friendly and being a part of the hall council in Scott Quad, we always made sure everyone felt like they were in a good community and we let everyone have a say in events we did which was great,” Czulewicz said in an email.

The biggest reason for the university’s removal of Scott Quad is that it is currently vacant and demolishing it is cheaper than the needed upkeep or renovations.

Wood also said the yearly cost for upkeep of campus buildings through department salaries, including management and safety budgets, and materials is around $25 million while utilities is $11 million.

It might need a few renovations, but if it was in good enough condition to house students a few years ago, there’s no reason why OU should be so quick to get rid of it.

Hacker said the department has outlined a plan as to what halls will be shut down and what halls the university will invest in, including Scott Quad. The plan will ultimately save the university money because of the large amount of deferred maintenance.

The plan the Board of Trustees approved will take place over the next five years, and the university expects to see profits because of it during that time. However, it is expected to spend $13 million, including demolition, during the project. The results will save the university $20 million it would have spent up-

The Ridges, building five was formerly used as an annex of the Athens Mental Hospital.

(HANNAH CAMPBELL | OPINION EDITOR)

keeping the buildings and will reduce annual upkeep expenses by $1.5 million.

While the demolition of Scott Quad is unnecessary, the selling of other surplus properties, such as portions of The Ridges and Hebbardsville Farm, are essential in helping to raise revenue for the university.

The Ridges operated as a mental hospital from 1874 to 1993, when OU purchased the property.

The portions of The Ridges up for potential sale or leasing include buildings two, three, four and five. Building five, which currently houses the University Movers Department that employs three full-time employees to transport items around campus, was once used as an annex of the Athens Mental Hospital. Buildings two, three and four formerly housed female patients of the former Athens Lunatic Asylum and are connected to the original Kirkbride complex. The main building, based off plans by Thomas Kirkbride popular in the mid-19th century, is on the National Historic Register.

The majority of these buildings is not currently occupied. Many of the buildings also need asbestos abatement and are in disrepair, one of the many reasons why the university is looking for a partner to lease the properties.

The university is not planning to utilize these buildings but hopes they can still be of use to Athens if an outside entity repairs them.

The Board of Trustees suggested options such as affordable housing and senior housing.

Instead of letting the buildings sit — abandoned and left to deteriorate — The Ridges should be put to better use for the region, and the university can raise revenue it needs to support itself. The Ridges property is essential to the community, and affordable and senior housing are needed desperately.

Another university-owned property for

sale is Hebbardsville Farm, acquired by the university in 2001. Located on Hebbardsville Road in Athens, the property consists of over 400 acres. The land includes two historic barns, a residence and several auxiliary buildings that were used when the property was a prison farm.

For safety purposes, university officials clap when entering into the buildings to ensure that animals aren’t lurking in the barns.

The building is surprisingly still intact, but the panels in the barns are decaying, and the paint is flaking off. There are still remnants of its former life as a prison farm.

In what was a work building, leftover marks of utensils that the prisoners used, including spoons, scissors and knives, remain on the walls, along with the hooks that once held them. Walking in, it was clear the history remains behind this property, even though the people don’t.

The university does not currently use most of the land and is exploring options to lease or sell. It would save around $18,000 a year by doing so, a cost that currently is paid for upkeep by the university.

Susan Williams, OU professor of anatomy, studies sensorimotor integration in the oral cavity and the physiology and biomechanics of chewing and swallowing. Her research facility is located on Hebbardsville Farm.

Williams has been assured by the university that the potential sale of the farmland would have no impact on the facility. It would just be the unused barns, buildings and land.

“The land that would be sold is across the street from the facility and that part does not get much university-related use that I am aware of,” Williams said in an email. “I have been assured that there would be no impact on the research facility. Whatever happens to the property, I hope it facilitates better maintenance of that section of

Hebbardsville Road.”

The university keeping a hold of abandoned properties like Hebbardsville Farm is not only unnecessary, but it’s also a shame considering the current budget issue that was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It demonstrates the university doesn’t act on its priorities.

Brook claimed the university budget issue due to the pandemic did not solely determine the selling of these surplus properties.

However, it later increased the urgency of doing so.

“Discussions (of leasing and selling) were happening pre-COVID, but COVID really did accelerate discussions,” Brook said. “As buildings became less occupied, it was easier to move forward. And with the budget position at the moment, it made sense to accelerate this as well.”

OU released a statement in May 2020 describing the university’s budget issue and the decision to lay off staff. Written by former President Duane Nellis, it stated that 53 instruction faculty members were issued non-renewal notices and had a net reduction of 94 administrative staff members.

Carly Leatherwood, a university spokesperson, only commented that the university did not significantly reduce faculty overall during the layoffs because of the pandemic.

No matter what positions these people had, they were relying on the university to make a living. They were staff who deserved to be fought for by OU. Joseph McLaughlin, a professor in the college of arts and science and vice president of OU’s chapter of American Association of University Professors, said it is a longer process to get rid of these properties than it is to lay off staff.

“I do think that (the university) is trying to

do what they can to raise revenue,” McLaughlin said. “While I agree it would be better to sell off surplus property than to fire people, something I believe they didn’t need to do, I also understand that, regrettably, it might take longer to unload surplus real estate than to fire people. The latter is quick and dirty.”

McLaughlin said he believes the university seems to be distancing itself from its original values, which he described as “grounded in residential undergraduate education and centers of excellence in research.” He wonders what this means for the university’s future and what message it sends to current and potential students.

“The administration, and possibly the Board of Trustees, seem less committed to the university’s strengths and identity … than to a future in which the university has a larger virtual presence,” McLaughlin said. “Ohio University needs to trumpet its strengths in offline education, and that takes brick and mortar. So, I do wonder about the sell off in response to what may prove to be a short term dip in enrollments.”

The university must sell the surplus in order to generate revenue and retain its original values. It’s outrageous that OU was so quick to lay off employees but was hesitant to get rid of completely abandoned properties.

Places like The Ridges and Hebbardsville Farm could do more for the community if they are leased or sold — and, hopefully, the university returns its original values back to its students in the future.

@HANNAHCMPBEL HC895819@OHIO.EDU

The Hebbardsville farm property includes two historic farms, a residence and several auxiliary buildings that were used when the property was a prison farm.

(HANNAH CAMPBELL | OPINION EDITOR)

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 13

OU students appreciate localness, ‘soul’ of Uptown Costumes

Students shop for their Halloween costume at Uptown Costumes on Court St, on Oct. 19, 2021. (RYAN GRYZBOWSKI / FOR THE POST)

ISABEL NISSLEY SLOT EDITOR

U

ptown Costumes’ off-white, two-story facade fits into the landscape of Court Street neatly, providing few visual indications of the store’s unique contents.

Behind its back door, though, Uptown Costumes contains overflowing shelves, colorful racks and transparent display cases of nearly everything costume-related.

“For me, it’s like being a kid in a candy store – it’s exciting,” Allistair Palmer, a freshman studying studio arts, said.

“There’s just all this fun stuff. You walk in, you see the posters and the sunglasses. And then when you go further back on the first floor, there’s all of these Halloween costumes, even during not-Halloween time.”

Uptown Costumes typically remains open year-round. However, in 2020, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic 14 / OCT. 28, 2021

changed the shop’s plans for operation.

Nearly 15 months after it closed in response to COVID-19, Uptown Costumes opened its doors to the public again in August of 2021.

The store has been busy throughout this October, David Wirtshafter, a longtime employee of Uptown Costumes, said.

He sees college students coming in to shop most frequently.

Meghan Nelson, a freshman studying anthropology, first encountered Uptown Costumes while walking down Court Street with friends.

“Me and my friends were out and about and we were just checking out the shops,” Nelson said. “We saw ‘posters,’ and we kind of ran in. I (went) in there not expecting it to be a costume shop for some reason.”

Although its main product is costumes, the store also attracts customers by selling vintage clothes and posters.

Wirtshafter’s role mainly involves the

posters. He operates an online store, Banana Road, which ships posters to people outside of Athens.

Before the whole storefront at 12 S. Court St. was fully occupied by Uptown Costumes, the first floor was a record store, Schoolkids Records. Wirtshafter’s parents owned the record store until 2004, when both floors of the building were converted to be used exclusively for costume sales.

Over a span of approximately five years, Athens and the country saw the rise of Napster, Walmart, Amazon and iTunes, Wirtshafter said.

“That was not a was not a good time for record stores,” Wirtshafter said.

The changes to the current Uptown Costumes shop are reflected in shifting business trends and consumer wants.

However, the locally-owned nature of the business has remained the same throughout the years. Palmer feels that the local-

ness, in addition to the store’s eccentric range of products, gives Uptown Costumes a “soul” that other, more corporate Halloween stores don’t possess. “(They are) soulless, just a little bit,” Palmer said. “(They) don’t have the small store, ‘Go in, feel like you’re supporting something’ feel. It feels like I’m keeping money in the community.”

Nelson echoed that sentiment, appreciating the uniqueness of Uptown Costumes.

“I say it’s the halfway point between a thrift store and a Spirit Halloween,” Nelson said. “It’s definitely more homey.” @ISABELNISSLEY IN566119@OHIO.EDU

HOCKEY

Ohio embraces physicality as part of its identity WILL CUNNINGHAM FOR THE POST Buried beneath Ohio’s bizarre, abrupt ending to its game against Illinois on Saturday night, there was a play in the second period that encapsulated the team’s identity.

In the middle of the first line change of the period, forward Ryan Higgins chased a loose puck deep into Illinois’ defensive zone, where he planted a defenseman into the boards. Landing that hit right at the start of the period established that even though the Bobcats were down, they were far from out.

“It was awesome,” Ohio coach Lionel Mauron said. “Seeing him go out there and put his all into a shift shows the character we need, no matter the score.”

Physicality has been a major focus for the Bobcats this season. Their first 11 games were at home, and that physicality consistently got them off to hot starts while invigorating the crowd at Bird Arena.

“We want to set the tone,” Higgins said. “Especially if we’re at home. We

want to get the crowd going. That gives us momentum, and it’s good to have the crowd back this year.”

Sometimes the aggression goes too far, however, and the Bobcats rack up penalty minutes. The Bobcats have often taken penalties at inopportune times, putting players in the penalty box and setting them back.

While certain types of penalties like slashing have been a thorn in Ohio’s side, it is willing to live with more physical penalties, such as roughing.

“To start out, we were kind of taking some stupid penalties,” Higgins said.

“Even though we got penalties this past weekend (against West Virginia and Roosevelt), they were physicality penalties and as long as we keep playing aggressive, we’ll take those penalties, and we’ll kill them.”

Even though it has cost them at certain points this season, the Bobcats are still dedicated to incorporating physicality and aggression into their game plan. It is a necessary baseline that allows them to show off their skill, which in turn leads to goals and wins.

“It creates space for us to use our skill,” Mauron said. “When you’re very physical, you create some turnovers, and they start to back down a little bit.

You have more room to make plays, and you kind of have that mental edge on them as well.”

That mental edge pays off for the Bobcats in the long run. It comes in handy when they face ranked opponents or opponents with stronger rosters. Teams like Iowa State or upcoming opponent Adrian may be ranked higher than Ohio, but they struggle to keep up with its scrappy playstyle.

As the difficulty of Ohio’s schedule ramps up, Mauron knows Ohio will have to embrace its physicality to make up for any potential talent differences.

“Compared to the best teams in the country, maybe we’re not as skilled and don’t have that much talent,” Mauron said. “But our work ethic and doing these details defensively, I think, can put us over the edge.”

No matter what happens as the season progresses, Mauron is confident in the Bobcats. He knows they are ready

and willing to knock around anyone who dares to take too long with the puck.

@WILLOCUNNINGHAM WC425318@OHIO.EDU

OU forward Andrew Sacca brawls with Iowa State defense Matty Moran during the Bobcats’ game on Oct, 15, 2021.

(ALAINA DACKERMAN / FOR THE POST)

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FOOTBALL

Evaluating Ohio midway through its Mid-American Conference schedule JACK GLECKER SPORTS EDITOR Ohio’s Mid-American Conference schedule began on an optimistic note. On Oct. 2, it defeated Akron — its first conference opponent — 34-17 for its first win of the season. It wasn’t a pretty win, but it gave Ohio a boost in morale. After a disappointing nonconference slate, a win breathed a bit of life into the program.

In his weekly press conference the following Monday, coach Tim Albin was optimistic the Bobcats could build off the win.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction just for us playing four quarters,” Albin said in his press conference Oct. 4.

Albin was right. Ohio took a step forward after defeating Akron, but it hasn’t moved since. The Bobcats have dropped their last three games and are confined to a losing record no matter how well their season ends. Their win over the Zips remains their only win this season.

The Bobcats are now at the midpoint of their conference schedule, and little has gone right for them. The final four games of the season loom, and the Bobcats have yet

to find firm ground to stand on.

With a month left in the season, Ohio still has uncertainties that need addressing.

RETURN OF THE QUARTERBACK TUG-OF-WAR

Following its win over Akron, it appeared Ohio’s recurring issue of balancing two quarterbacks had been resolved. Armani Rogers played both games against Central Michigan and Buffalo in their entirety, and he started against Kent State. Ohio seemed to have found a quarterback to lead it through its conference schedule.

But after Kurtis Rourke was brought in against the Golden Flashes and threw for 308 yards, the Bobcats found themselves back where they started in their quarterback battle. Albin said both quarterbacks will get equal reps in practice going forward, and whoever performs best will get the starting spot.

Ohio tried to put both Rourke and Rogers to use during its nonconference schedule and ended up tripping over itself. Subbing in Rogers for Rourke and vice versa disrupted the offense more than it helped. Ohio’s found some success when it sticks to one quarterback, but that may go out the window now that the starting spot is up

for grabs again.

PASSING GAME BLANKS IN THE END ZONE

Albin said after the loss to Buffalo that Ohio needed to incorporate passing better into the offense. Ohio passed for 75 yards or fewer in its games against Akron and Buffalo, and it has the second-worst passing offense in the MAC. Rourke fulfilled that need with his career-high passing performance against Kent State. But despite his performance, Ohio didn’t record a single passing touchdown Saturday.

In fact, Ohio hasn’t had a passing touchdown since the second quarter of the Akron game. That’s 14 quarters without a passing touchdown. The Bobcats have 587 yards passing in those 14 quarters, and they haven’t found the end zone once.

CAN OHIO PICK UP ANOTHER WIN?

On paper, it’s difficult to tell whether or not Ohio is destined for a one-win season. Its next three opponents — Miami, Eastern Michigan and Toledo — all rank above Ohio in both total offense and total defense and have each won at least two conference games.

It’s not impossible for the Bobcats to beat any of their next three opponents, but the failure to capitalize on what success they can muster has hampered them since the season began.

Bowling Green is the only upcoming opponent Ohio beats out stat-wise midway through MAC play. Bowling Green hasn’t defeated a MAC opponent since 2019, and it averages 19.5 points and 314.9 yards per game on offense, the worst in the conference. What’s more, Ohio’s defeated Bowling Green every year since 2016.

But there is a good case for that streak to end. Ohio grappled with an underperforming Akron until late in the second half in Week 5. If it struggled to defeat a team with only one conference win thus far, Ohio’s final regular season game won’t be a cakewalk, either.

@THEJACKGLECKLER JG011517@OHIO.EDU

Ohio University wide receiver Chase Cokley (#80) pushes through Kent State in an effort to gain yards at Peden Stadium on Oct. 23, 2021. (CLAY STARK | FOR THE POST)

16 / OCT. 28, 2021

VOLLEYBALL

Emily and Olivia Margolies share a bond as both sisters and teammates ASHLEY BEACH FOR THE POST It is not uncommon for a volleyball player to call their teammates their sisters, but for Ohio juniors Emily and Olivia Margolies, the saying has a deeper meaning.

They are identical twins, and there hasn’t been a moment in their volleyball careers where Olivia and Emily have been apart. The two have played on the same teams ever since they first held a volleyball and were coached by their mother Laura.

The two began playing volleyball when they were in elementary school through the Olentangy Youth Athletic Association. They learned the fundamentals of the game such as passing and serving through rotations at each position. It was here that the twins’ passion began to develop.

“At the beginning, we did a beach (volleyball) tournament together, two-on-two, and we literally argued so much,” Emily said. “So, we were like ‘I don’t know if this is going to work.’”

When they were younger, it was common for the twins to argue on the court. They clashed often, but the behavior subsided as they matured. From there, they continued to grow their bond that surpassed familial ties.

The Galena natives played for Mintonette Sports Volleyball Club throughout middle school and most of their high school careers before switching to Elite Volleyball Club for their senior year.

The twins also played volleyball and basketball at Olentangy High School. It was there that they cultivated their athletic relationship and put their “twin telepathy,” as Emily called it, to use.

There was a moment during a basketball game where their coach told them to run a certain play, but the two had other plans.

“There (were) 10 seconds left on the clock and we were tied,” Olivia said. “We looked at each other and we decided not to do what the coach was saying and we kind of made up a play … then we scored and won the game.”

The inherent trust the twins put in each other paid off in that game, and the improvised play proved they worked better as a pair.

But as much as the twins enjoyed playing basketball, it didn’t hold a candle to the passion they shared for volleyball.

Both believed they held a deeper connection to volleyball than other sports. It taught

them lessons they hadn’t learned elsewhere, and the bond they held with each other and their teammates on the court was unparalleled. Their shared passion instilled in them a desire to continue playing together at the collegiate level.

They knew entering the recruitment process that they wanted to attend the same school. Olivia and Emily had similar outlooks on the types of schools they wanted to visit.

However, they found that not every program had the roster space for a package deal.

Coaches wanted to recruit both of the girls but most did not have the means to enroll the both of them.

But then they visited Ohio.

Ohio gave the twins the reassurance they were looking for. The program was open to the idea of having both of them on its roster.

“Ohio was awesome about (us playing together), and we got a really good commitment to it,” Emily said.

The twins began their careers for the Bobcats in 2019. Olivia played in 31 matches and recorded the third-most kills on the team while Emily redshirted. Now in their junior season, the twins do not regret their choice in joining the same program. It has given them the opportunity to expand on the bond they’ve built since they were in the fourth grade. They don’t find it odd to be teammates. They’ve always been side-byside.

Being teammates comes with perks as well. They always have a shoulder to lean on when times get tough. The twins communicate openly to help each other through rough patches both on and off of the court.

Through this open dialogue, they’ve also grown as individuals.

“I would say the biggest growth within myself is I think just finding out who I am as a volleyball player,” Olivia said. “Finding my voice on the court and outside volleyball.”

In the past it has been difficult for Olivia and Emily to reiterate that they are not the same person despite looking identical to each other. They work to differentiate themselves despite often being clumped together.

But they don’t have that issue with the Bobcats.

Ohio created a space for the twins to be together but separate as they grow into their respective roles as leaders. Their individual growth is recognized at Ohio.

There’s never been a moment where either twin would want their story to go any other way. In fact, they’ve embraced having each other around. Both have made friends on and off the court, but they know at the end of the day they can always rely on each other.

@ASHLEYBEACHY_ AB026319@OHIO.EDU

Ohio’s Olivia Margolies #22 and Emily Margolies #16 high five during the Bobcats’ match versus Kent State on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Ohio won three sets to two. (ANTHONY WARNER | FOR THE POST)

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 17

REFLECTIONS

The Urban Meyer situation COLLEEN MCLAFFERTY is a sophomore studying history at Ohio University It’s not uncommon for public figures to have their private life scrutinized: intimate relationships, family life, medical conditions — all have been examined under figurative microscopes by the press and the internet alike. Many more public figures have had scandals scrutinized, though. We all remember the infamous Ariana Grande donut-licking incident, Lil Nas X’s Satan shoes situation and when the internet unearthed Chrissy Teigan’s vitriolic tweets.

However, earlier this month, Jaguars coach and former Ohio State University football coach Urban Meyer found himself in hot water.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, a video of a man appearing to be Meyer at the Urban Chophouse went viral. He was video-recorded drinking and grinding with a woman who was not his wife. Later, he apologized publicly, confirming it was him at Urban Chophouse. It sent the media into a frenzy.

Jaguars players claimed that Meyer never had their re-

spect to begin with. NFL bigwigs reprimanded the coach for his behavior. The question of why this was so offending to the players and larger internet community is vague, to say the least.

Maybe Meyer’s breach of trust with his wife put people off.

Perhaps Meyer’s carefree nature did not sit well with people after a big loss to the Cincinnati Bengals the Thursday prior. Maybe players wished he’d been drafting up ideas to help them win the next game. The Jaguars had been on a losing streak and would not win their first game until Oct. 17. Partying in Columbus is not what he’s paid millions per year to do, after all.

Players on that fateful Saturday night were likely resting up for their next game.

No matter the reason, Meyer got off with a bit of heat from the media and NFL, and he has continued on with the season.

The woman’s story, however, is another matter. After the initial fallout, the woman’s mother approached USA Today Sports anonymously to speak out about their circumstances. She claimed her daughter could not go anywhere, and the scrutiny was “ruining her emotional status.”

What’s more is that New Horizon Media Group, the woman’s employer, claimed it would begin an internal investigation to determine what impact this would have on its brand.

This woman is not a celebrity. She’s a 20-something with her whole life ahead of her, likely newly graduated from college. The media and internet have descended upon this woman with such fierceness that it could potentially have real, tangible consequences for her livelihood and mental state. It’s absolutely sickening.

While Meyer got off with a few public apologies and some notable phone calls, this woman is bearing the brunt. Internet sleuths have been searching for her identity. Meyer agreed to a public life when he signed his contract; she did not. She was merely caught in the crossfire. This whole situation smells of an invasion of privacy and misogyny. Why is it that she’s the one taking the fall when it was Meyer’s choice to party and breach trust?

We need to remember the media and the public in general tend to treat women unfairly with these kinds of situations.

We need to remember a woman should not be held accountable for a man’s poor decisions. Most of all, we need to leave this poor woman alone.

Colleen McLafferty is a sophomore studying history 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 Colleen by tweeting her at @colleenbealem.

TUNES WITH TATE

Halloween songs that need to be on your spooky season playlist TATE RAUB is a sophomore studying strategic communication at Ohio University

From the band Dorothy is the 2016 song “Wicked Ones.” It’s a powerful rock tune that sounds like it’s being performed by a coven of angry witches. Whether your Halloween costume will be wicked or not, this song will make you feel like you are.

I can’t lie: it’s incredible.

“Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris The days left until Halloween are dwindling quickly, so before everyone embarks on their spooky season activities this weekend, here are eight songs to play for the occasion:

“Venom” (Remix) [From Venom: Let There Be Carnage] by Little Simz

The song “Venom” gained a lot of popularity on TikTok a few months ago and has been used in over 670,000 videos.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the sequel to Marvel and Sony’s Venom, the first installment of the Spiderman villain’s origin story. Naturally, a remix was created for the movie, and it includes a voice that sounds like the character Venom saying his name throughout the song. It has a very epic feeling to it with an added element of edginess that works perfectly within the context of the movie and any Halloween playlist.

“Zombie” by The Cranberries

“Zombie” is more widely known as a Halloween song because of its name, but it’s a great choice regardless. It’s a classic ‘90s track and one The Cranberries are most known for.

The heavy lyrics, repetition of the word “zombie” and the fact that it’s a fan favorite make it a great song to play at any time spooky vibes feel necessary — but especially for Halloween.

“Wicked Ones” by Dorothy 18 / OCT. 28, 2021

Anyone who loves The Vampire Diaries will know this song holds a special place in the hearts of fans. It’s a fun song on its own, but after watching (spoiler alert) Damon and Elena drink their fill of college student blood at a party as they dance to this song takes it to a whole other level. While it isn’t an obvious choice for a Halloween song, its context within the show will make the day of any fan of The Vampire Diaries.

“Mrs Magic” by Strawberry Guy

Another song that got a lot of use on TikTok is “Mrs Magic”

by Strawberry Guy. Released in 2019, it has been used in over 70,000 videos. It is three minutes of purely mystical instrumentals and emotive lyrics that, as the song title may suggest, are absolutely magical. For every person who wishes they were a witch more than a werewolf, this is the song for you.

“Agatha All Along” (From WandaVision: Episode 7) written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

I’m not going to lie: this song was without a doubt added to this list because of my love for WandaVision. No one could have been more perfectly cast than Kathryn Hahn to play a witch with impure intentions, and her voice while singing this song is evil in the best way possible. That, in addition to it winning an Emmy, should earn this song a spot among your favorite Halloween jams.

“Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse

Even for people who have never seen Twilight, I’ve found most people are familiar with the famous baseball scene from the first movie. This is in part because of it being shared on social media at a more frequent rate as Halloween inches closer on the calendar. It felt criminal to not include “Supermassive Black Hole” because of the sheer amount of joy that comes from feeling like a part of that scene every time it’s played.

“House of the Rising Sun” by Lauren O’Connell

The original “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is undoubtedly a classic. However, there is something about Lauren O’Connell’s cover of it that works better for Halloween purposes. It’s a slowed down version, and O’Connell’s voice is more echoed, making it sound like it could’ve been sung from within a haunted house. It was also used in promotional material for American Horror Story: Coven, which should be further proof of its spookiness.

With safer conditions to celebrate this year, Halloween should be a blast. Be safe, listen to these songs and have a great time, everyone.

Tate Raub is a sophomore studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Tate know by tweeting her @tatertot1310.

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More Time” music video. Grab your favorite black miniskirt and a white button-up tied however high or low you feel is comfortable. Pair this look with any type of grey cardigan or jacket. Lastly, throw on a pair of black sneakers and knee-high black socks. Don’t forget to put your hair into braided pigtails, but don’t fret if you can’t find any pink fluffy hair clips.

Cam and Mitch from Modern Family

One of the most iconic and hilarious couples on television.

Cam and Mitch from Modern Family are definitely a fan favorite and easy to dress up as. For Cam, wear any patterned button down and a pair of jeans. You can also wear black dress shoes or just a pair of sneakers. As for Mitch, throw on either a button down or polo and some khakis. White sneakers work great for this part of the costume. Lastly, if you have a friend in need of a costume too, have them dress up as Lily to complete the family.

Sleepy vampire

Zoe Kravitz really stepped out the year she wore this costume. This is a creative yet easy approach to the original vampire costume. All you need is a pair of boxers, a white shirt, a robe and slippers. As for accessories, throw your hair up in a towel or shower cap and some sunglasses to block out any light (remember, vampires are super sensitive to daylight).

If you want you can also carry around your favorite mug and a newspaper like Zoe. Lastly, take some fake blood or red lipstick and make some blood drippings down the corners of your mouth and on your neck and shirt. A perfect touch would be some fake fangs, but they’re completely optional.

ILLUSTRATION BY KATIE BANECK

6 last minute Halloween costumes 2021 GRACE BREZINE FOR THE POST POV: You’re freaking out because Halloween is next weekend, and you still don’t have a costume. October went by in a flash, and now you have to scramble and put something together in a week. Don’t worry, though. Last minute costumes can be found in yours or a friend’s closet and can even be put together on Hallow’s Eve. Whether you just forgot about Halloween this year or you’re a procrastinator like a lot of us, you can still whip up a spooky ensemble that will look amazing. Here are six costumes that will save you some time and won’t break the bank:

Squid Game players

Squid Game is a show on Netflix that has become a phe-

stARtiNG At per person/month

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nomenon among Americans in the past few months, and the characters’ daily wear actually looks pretty comfortable.

Although the show is many people’s worst nightmare, it’s a great costume if you’re in a pinch. All you will need is a pair of green sweatpants and a green sweatshirt. If you don’t have a green sweatshirt, you can wear a grey T-shirt similar to what the characters wear on the show.

You can find these items at the bottom of yours or a friend’s wardrobe, or you can make a run to your nearest thrift store or Walmart. This costume is great to wear solo or with a group of friends. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Anyone that hasn’t been living under a rock lately will know who you are on Halloween night.

Britney Spears, circa 1999

Hannah and Miley are an iconic duo, yet they aren’t a very popular Halloween costume. For Hannah, wear any bright or sparkly dress and pop on some statement jewelry. You can wear white boots or any white shoes. As for Miley, you can wear whatever sundress you have in your closet. A cowgirl hat and cowgirl boots complete the look, so if you don’t have these items yourself ask a friend or run to your nearest thrift store.

Simplified cat

If you’ve gotten this far and none of these costumes have caught your eye or you’re just not in the mood to go all out this year, try out Hailey Bieber’s version of a cat. Throw on a pair of jeans and a crew neck or whatever you feel most comfortable in. Finalize this costume with a pair of cat ears or any costume ears you can find. It’s a simple, yet festive way to dress up for Halloween.

@GRACEBREZINE GB194519@OHIO.EDU

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Our favorite horror movie villains THE BEAT STAFF Halloween signifies the return of all horror villains we have either grown up watching or become newly acquainted with. From Frank-N-Furter to Michael Myers, it’s the horror genre’s most famous terrorizers who make this season all the more spooky.

With the holiday around the corner, it’s time to discuss a few of the best. Here’s a list of our favorite horror villains:

The Thing from John Carpenter’s The Thing

It slinks through the shadows until it finds its first victim, taking their identity, then slowly taking out an entire group of people as it shifts and mutates to victory.

It’s an almost undetectable, shapeshifting being from outer space. It can be anyone you love, including your dog, and it’ll tear you to pieces in the most gory and visceral way possible. It induces paranoia and fear, killing not just people but the friendships between them as well as they investigate.

It’s the perfect horror villain, striking both the physical and mental sides of the genre.

What’s not to love?

-Zach James

Jigsaw from Saw

Call me crazy, but John Kramer, also known as Jigsaw from the Saw installations, is pure evil yet logical in his malicious actions. Jigsaw doesn’t just kill to kill: he actually wants to give those who have deep, dark secrets and have committed a lot of wrongdoings in life to own up to those crimes and get a second chance. The only difference between him and a therapist is that Jigsaw creates complex death traps to get his prospects to an unfortunate conclusion.

Either way, Jigsaw, a former good Samaritan who developed cancer, tries to tackle the idea of why bad things happen to good people and, as a result, decides to explore the possibility that bad things should happen to bad people. Without Jigsaw, we wouldn’t have the shocking ending of the first film and the constant loops Jigsaw throws us for throughout the nine films.

-Emma Dollenmayer

Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Leatherface is the integral horror movie villain. He’s a cannibalistic psychopath who cuts up unknowing hippies with a chainsaw.

I don’t know what qualifies as terrifying, but I’d say wearing a person’s face as a mask has to. Leatherface is one of the first and best horror movie villains, and he doesn’t even try. It was just the way he was raised. All he’s

ever known to do is murder, and that’s what makes him such a scary dude to run into.

-Sean Eifert

Michael Myers from Halloween

It’s a classic, but there’s a reason why the Halloween formula has remained tried and true in the horror genre. A disturbed individual with a thing for knives is always going to make a fun villain. The original film uses Myers the most effectively, building an eerie atmosphere through both at-a-distance tension-building and first-person lurking where the viewer is in the position of Myers.

Creepy mask, signature outfit, great navigation skills, Myers is one of the best.

-Lydia Smith

Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

He’s the maddest scientist of all mad scientists. He’s able to manipulate anyone in his path with his masterly seduction skills.

While he is exceedingly evil, killing off people he’s jealous of, he is also incredibly mesmerizing. He is unapologetically flamboyant and knows how to make an iconic villain entrance.

Tim Curry’s performance as Frank-NFurter is absolutely unforgettable. As a child, he gave me so many nightmares that I wasn’t able to watch the movie again until I was much older. He’s a crossdressing mad scientist who sings and kills, making him one of the most iconic villains out there.

-Logan Humphrey

Carrie White from Carrie

There’s nothing scarier than a misunderstood teenage girl about to reach her boiling point. Carrie White shows us not all horror villains come with scary masks, burned skin and mutilated appearances; sometimes, they come soaked in bloody prom dresses.

Although the 1976 film has been an iconic horror movie for generations, I prefer the 2013 adaptation that stars Chloe Grace Moretz as Carrie White (and because Ansel Elgort plays Tommy Ross, obviously).

Unlike most horror movies, Carrie is a character who begins as an underdog protagonist who lives a life of abuse and bullying until she reaches her villain status at the end. She gets a full character development that most horror villains don’t. If anything, Carrie is a huge break from the high school mean girl archetype. The girls at school may think it’s all fun and games as they bully Carrie — until she eventually gets supernatural powers and reaps vengeance on them in the end. Iconic, to say the least.

-Madyson Lewellyn

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the Silence of the Lambs. Lecter truly captures the serial killer essence: he has a bizarre moral compass as he helps Clarice find Buffalo Bill while simultaneously driving Miggs, his neighbor in the mental asylum, to swallow his own tongue. The juxtaposition between the sophisticated persona Lecter presents versus the feral behavior has always fascinated me as a viewer. With a character so iconic, it’s no wonder there were two more movies in the Silence of the Lambs trilogy featuring Lecter.

-Jillian Craig

The Joker from The Dark Knight

I’m not a huge scary movie fan, but I do love Heath Ledger as The Joker. He puts you in a trance when you watch him and honestly steals the attention away from Batman. I love the manic aspects of this villain.

They’re so disturbing to watch that you just can’t look away. As someone who prefers superhero movies, The Joker is a villain who definitely made a mark on me. Nonetheless, this is one of Ledger’s most iconic roles as an actor.

fer’s Body may not be deemed as a conventional horror movie, it’s filled with enough blood and gore to satisfy the horror feeling.

Jennifer Check (Megan Fox) is the perfect combination of deadly and sexy with her snarky, nonchalant attitude that translates into seduction and cunningness. Fox plays the role well, and it’s difficult to not be captivated by her as a succubus.

-Mimi Calhoun

The Alien from Alien

The xenomorph alien stands as one of the most formidable presences to ever appear in either a horror or sci-fi film. As sleek and terrifying a sight as the creature is, the blood-curdling direction of Ridley Scott enhances the scare factor tenfold. We don’t get a clear glimpse of the mysterious hunter of our main characters until it’s too late. From the way the alien is hatched to the parasitic nature of laying its eggs inside a host body to the sheer size and predation of its final form, this horror villain after 40 years still resonates.

-Camden Gilreath

-Grace Koennecke

Jennifer Check from Jennifer’s Body

As Needy (Amanda Seyfried) puts it in the film, “hell is a teenage girl.” Although JenniTHEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21

the weekender Southeast Ohio History Center to host historical tours of the Athens Asylum LINDSAY WIELONSKI FOR THE POST

In October and November, the Southeast Ohio History Center is offering walking tours of the Athens Asylum. Although October tours are currently sold out, there will be a tour in November, with the date to be determined.

George Eberts, long-time Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare employee and Athens Asylum advocate, will lead participants in engaging tours of the Athens Asylum grounds and cemeteries, and will teach participants about the history of mental health treatment, according to the Southeast Ohio History Center website.

Mental health treatment has changed drastically in the past century. In 1955, the discovery of the drug Thorazine sparked a new era of medication for mentally ill patients when professionals realized that the medicine helped patients with mental illnesses communicate more clearly.

Eberts, leader of the Athens Asylum tours, hopes that participants will gain a better understanding of the medication of mental illnesses on his tours. On his tours, he emphasizes that rather than sedating patients with mental illnesses, the goal of psychiatric medication is to help those living with mental illnesses to think and communicate more clearly.

“That’s another thing I guess I’d say that I hope that people take away from my tours,” Eberts said. “Treating mental illness with drugs isn’t sedation.”

On his tours, Eberts also hopes to educate participants about the reality of what life was like for patients who lived in the Athens Asylum. Although portrayals of mental illness institutions in media can be misleading, Eberts hopes to clear any misunderstandings or stereotypes that those attending may have about the history of institutions that treated those with mental illnesses.

“It’s not just a place where they threw a bunch of hapless mentally ill people and they’re walking around, in rags, moaning out loud,” Eberts said. “The atmosphere was a lot different than you see sometimes in movies or TV. There was a lot of real care going on.”

22 / OCT. 28, 2021

Many Ohio University students are interested in learning more about the Athens Asylum. Because the Asylum is usually closed off to the public, the tour is intriguing to them. The tours offer a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the Athens Asylum.

Renovations make it difficult for everyday students to get a sense of the asylum.

“It seems like they’re doing more and more renovations,” Andrew Meyer, a senior studying computer science, said. “It’s still creepy, so I’m definitely interested (in the tours).”

Additionally, the tour is an eye-opening look into how far the treatment for mental illnesses has advanced over the years. In the past, many patients were admitted to facilities for reasons that would not be considered diagnoses today. This was due to a lack of understanding about mental health, illnesses and treatments. Comparing past views on mental illness with modern views serves as an important lesson about the power and importance that scientific advancement holds.

“I think it’s probably an important piece of history, to compare it to the better views we have on mental health nowadays.” Shay Mcclendon, a fourth-year studying studio art, said. “I think it could be useful.”

The Athens Asylum is a visual representation of Appalachian history. Eberts enjoys using his past experience working with Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare and his knowledge of the asylum to connect participants to the history of the Athens Asylum. Eberts looks forward to meeting new people and educating them on each of his walking tours.

“It can be summed up as taking a walk on a beautiful afternoon in a lovely setting, with 20 or so brand new friends,” Eberts said. “The last two tours were outside the whole time, so I got to know people a little bit.”

For more information about the Athens Asylum tours, those interested can visit https://athenshistory.org/asylum-tours-with-george-eberts-restarting/ to learn more. @LWIELONSKI LW293117@OHIO.EDU

The Ridges on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (CLAY STARK | FOR THE POST)

IF YOU GO WHAT: Tour of the Athens Asylum WHERE: Kennedy Museum of Art. 100 Ridges Circle WHEN: Friday, Oct. 29 and Saturday, Oct. 30, times vary ADMISSION: $15 for members, $18 for non-members, students are $10, children under 12 are free, prices vary depending on day

WHAT’S GOING ON? Watch Halloween movies, play paintball KATIE MILLARD FOR THE POST

FRIDAY, OCT. 29 Halloween Movie Night at Eclipse Company Store, 11309 Jackson Dr., will start at 6 p.m. and show three movies throughout the night. The outdoor event welcomes those of all ages and will feature The Nightmare Before Christmas at 6 p.m., Beetlejuice at 7:20 p.m. and Ghostbusters at 8:50 p.m. Take the short drive down the road for some good food and to get in the Halloween spirit.

Admission: Free A Bobcats of the Shelter Dogs Tabling Event will take place outside Baker University Center’s 4th floor from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is hosted by Bobcats of the Shelter Dogs, and they will be selling both regular and spooky-themed items, including wood decor, signs and more. All proceeds will go to the Athens County Dog Shelter, so stop by to help out!

Admission: Free Trunk or Treat will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Christ Community Wesleyan Church’s parking lot, 6275 Kennedy Memorial Lane, rain or shine.

The event will include candy, costumes, inflatables, pony rides, Kona Ice and prizes throughout the night.

Admission: Free Vaccination Clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Heritage Hall, 191 W. Union St. The Athens City-County Health Department is hosting the event, and is now offering booster doses of all three vaccines along with both first and second doses of Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

Appointments are preferred, and they can be scheduled online.

Admission: Free

SATURDAY, OCT. 30 90s Night With DJ BARTICUS at 8 p.m. at The Union, 18 W. Union St. will be a fun night full of ‘90s throwbacks. Doors open at 7 p.m. for this exciting themed night that may be a break from the Halloween weekend festivities.

ADVERTISE

Admission: $7 for those under 21, $5 for those 21 and older

$25

Hocus Pocus will play at 8 p.m. at Donkey Coffee, 17 W. Washington St. Come watch the Halloween classic for all ages and enjoy what the store has labeled “the best Halloween movie ever.”

Admission: Free Howl-o-ween Woof-tacular from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at PetSmart, 743 E. State St., will be a great way to connect with loving shelter dogs in need of homes.

Friends of the Shelter Dogs is hosting the event for anyone interested in giving a dog a forever home or simply stopping by to give them some love and help get the word out.

Admission: Free

SUNDAY, OCT. 31 Gina Kruzel: Paranormal Investigator will be speaking at Chosen Pathways from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Chosen Pathways to watch the paranormal investigator speak about her experiences as a real-life ghostbuster. Come spend your Halloween afternoon learning about the things that go bump in the night.

Admission: Free, donations welcome Halloween Shoot Out from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bigfoot Hollow Paintball Park, 11950 Black Road, will be a paintball battle for the ages. Those who come in costume will get 100 free paintballs with the price of admission, and both single players and groups are welcome.

To battle it out, anyone 8 years old and over is asked to RSVP on Facebook.

LARGE BOX HALLOWEEN TRIVIA NIGHT Join us for a fun night of trivia, this one is all about Halloween! Starting at 8pm, our MC, Josh Radcliff, will test your knowledge while our servers keep you wined and dined!

Costume contest! Dress up and the winner (determined by the audience) will receive a special gift basket.

May the best team win!

Thursday, Oct. 28th 8:00 pm

Reserve a table by messaging us on Facebook

@AthensUncorked

Open to All Must be 21 to attend

Admission: Free @KATIE_MILLARD11 KM053019@OHIO.EDU

Join us for an outdoor event in our beer garden(weather permitting) on Friday, Oct. 29th!

The Nightmare Before Christmas: 6:00pm Beetlejuice: 7:20pm Ghostbusters: 8:50pm This is an outdoor event, so be sure to dress warm!

Everyone is welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets.

Friday, Oct. 29th starts at 6:00 pm DON’T FORGET we have 32 Beers on Tap & Don’t Miss Bengals/Browns games every Sunday.

Tuesday night trivia.

The Market on State

ART MARKET

at the Athens Farmer’s Market Find hand-crafted jewelry, pottery, paintings and prints, yarn, lotions, quilts, eco-printed clothing, silkscreened t-shirts, wooden tables, boxes, bowls and more!

Locally made by members of the Athens Art Guild.

Saturday, Oct. 30th 9 am - 12 pm Masks required

Admission: Packages start at $29.99 Trick or Treat will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. throughout Athens. Hand out candy to the costumed kids of Athens by leaving your porch light on to signal to trick-or-treaters that your home is a house to stop at. Drivers are encouraged to take extra precautions during this time to be careful of the many children who will be parading around.

SPOOKY MOVIE NIGHT

Uptown Athens Parking Garage W Washington Gallery Wall ATHENS PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT

BEAUTIFUL REALITYPHOTOGRAPHS BY ATHENS YOUTH APP proudly presents photographs by 31 young artists in Athens County.

These artists were able to share the joy and tumult of this time in their lives, to find unique visions of the world around them

through Oct. 31th

OUTDOOR PUBLIC ART EXHIBIT

Wednesday night live music with The Blues Cowboys.

@EclipseBeerHall Open to All

Various locations

per week

$300

per semester

text can be updated weekly, logos, specialty fonts and spot color IS INCLUDED

Chosen Pathways 400 E State Street

PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR GINA KRUZEL

Spend some time this Halloween afternoon with a real Ghostbuster! Ohio native and paranormal investigator Gina Kruzel brings her 40 years of paranormal experience to the shop. She will be telling us the who, what and why they might be here. Bring a chair and your face mask.

Sunday, Oct. 31st 1:00 pm Free / donations welcome. chosenpathwaysshop.com/

BLOOD DRIVE

The need is constant, the The Union need is urgent, sign up and give today.

HALLOWEEN HAXAN visit the Red Cross online.

SCREENING Enter your zip code to search w/ live soundtrack provided for an available drive. Times

by The Water Witches availble each week The Water Witches and schedule your Beveridge Ridge present a donation today at special screening of the 1922 redcrossblood.org silent occult masterpiece Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages.

The screening will be accompanied by an original live psychedelic soundtrack created by The Water Witches. The film, through incredible imagery and storytelling, traces the history and meaning of witchcraft. $ per week Doors will open at 6:00pm.

Show will begin at 7:00pm. $ st

ADVERTISE SMALL BOX 15

200 per semester messaging can be updated weekly, TEXT ONLY

Sunday, Oct. 31 7-10 pm

Admission $10 Tickets req

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