An award-winning student-produced magazine that engages readers within and beyond Southeast Ohio.

Behind the Bite

Lloyd’s Pizzeria dishes out savory food and family fun

Written by Juliana Colant, Photos by Hannah Campbell. Pizza photo from Photo from: https://www.lloyds-pizzeria.com/. Lloyd’s Pizzeria finds its home in Waverly, Ohio. The city has a population of over 4,100 people, according to the latest U.S. census figures. When a pizza craving hits, there are about eight pizza shops in town to choose from, from […]

In Your Neighborhood Uncategorized

Pure Prairie League Band rocks on

Written by Max Abbatiello, Photos by Jessica Stelzer The terms “longevity” and “stability” don’t necessarily apply to bands. In fact, the average life expectancy of any band is seven years, according to film director and DJ Don Letts. Rarely does a rock band manage to stay alive for more than a decade. Even rock legends, […]

Features Uncategorized

Cherokee Valley Bison Ranch’s a-grazing

Written by Alex Ifft, Photos by Zach Vogeler From the brink of extinction to a remarkable resurgence, the history of bison is a testament to time. Bison faced annihilation in the early 19th century. However, thanks to the dedication of conservationists as well as help from farmers and ranchers, their numbers have rebounded. As years […]

Features

Southeast Ohio’s newest farmers turn their passions into full time jobs

Written by Donovan Hunt, Photos by Ashley Beach Julie Sharp has dreamed of starting a farm for many years and about 18 months ago, she made her dream a reality, but some of the hardest lessons have come from as she says her dreams hitting reality. One day, Sharp had nearly finished bush-hogging her pasture […]

Behind the Bite

Vinton County’s delicious Air Show’s Chicken Tradition

Written and photos by Zach Vogeler The Vinton County Air Show is one of the most popular and successful events of its kind in the heart of Ohio. It dates to the 1970s and attracts around 5,000 attendees annually. During the one-day event, cars crowd the grassy parking lot, lawn chairs dot the viewing area […]

What's Your Story?

Randall Crossen Sr.’s Service to Safety

Written by Cole Patterson, Photos by Jessica Stelzer The year was 1975 when Randall Crossen Sr. first experienced the heat of firefighting. It was his father who took him to just off state Route 681, past county Route 69, where a brush fire broke out because of a woman burning trash. “He’s just one of […]

Talking Points

Logan hopes to heal its lake

Written by Zach Zimmerman, Photos by Jamie Miller With overgrown vegetation, sediment buildup and a broken dam valve, Lake Logan is ill. Bud Simpson, a columnist for the Logan Daily News, wrote about Lake Logan as it nears its 70th birthday and describes it as having “never seen a doctor.”   “It is paying the price […]

Features

The famous mineral springs of Adams County

Written and photos by Lillian Barry In 1840, just south of present-day Peebles, Charles Matheny stumbled upon a spring that winded through Peach Mountain, dipped his hands into its waters, and drank. What he found would prove to be invaluable — Matheny believed he had discovered medicinal gold.   Matheny’s Medicine According to Mineral Springs: Adams […]

Talking Points

Southeast Ohio dog shelters adapt to overcrowding issues

Written by Trinity Trimble, Photos by Hannah Campbell Dog shelters around Ohio are coping with an increasing number of shelter dogs. Shelters are accepting fewer surrenders, getting help from rescues, building new facilities, increasing advertising, and, in the worst cases, euthanizing dogs. Accepting Fewer Surrenders Some shelters are choosing not to take in dogs from […]

In Your Neighborhood

Monroe Kids Got Talent starts careers, one kid at a time

Written by Arielle Lyons, Photos by Jessica Stelzer Adalynn “Addy” McGuire is a 13-year-old self-taught singer. This time last year, she hoisted a trophy declaring her the winner of Monroe Kids Got Talent, an annual event that showcases young local talent between the ages of 5 and 20. Now, she was onstage again, wearing a […]

Behind the Bite

Pawpaws for all

Written and Photos by Jamie Miller “The flavor of the pawpaw sells itself,” says Chris Chmiel of Integration Acres. An overcast afternoon lit the farmer’s pawpaw trees. Small buds decorated trees, alongside pink, white and green ribbons. The plants were treated to an unusually warm day in February. Chmiel smiled when speaking about his produce. […]

In Your Neighborhood

In pursuit of leather things

Written and Photos by Anna Millar – Nearly 13 years ago, Aaron and Erin Buckley set out to start their own leather-working business. Aaron had been stuck inside due to a motorcycle injury and was looking for something to occupy his time, he says.    It all began at a local shoe repair shop, where Aaron […]

Behind the Bite

The Six Spirits of Logan: A look inside Motherwell Distillery

Written and Photos by Cameron Robertson Most people imagine a distillery as a grand operation filled with loads of heavy machinery on a wide expanse of land.   But that’s not always the case—one exists in Logan in the back of a restaurant. At the end of a long hallway lies a simple room with a […]

Features

46 years gone: What happened to Joanna Jenkins?

By Maddie Harden [Click here to access the interactive timeline] Joanna Jenkins was last seen at the Bridge Inn in Oak Hill on Nov. 1, 1977, her missing person poster reports. Jenkins has been missing for 46 years. The only official information available on her case is her description— 23-years-old, five feet tall, blonde, blue-eyed, […]

Features

The “Arrow Sniper” of Jackson County

By Bennett Snyder, Photos by Owen McDermott By Bennett Snyder, Photos by Owen McDermott Broken arrows and targets scattered across the range show evidence of an arrow sniper at work. Elsa, a German Shepherd guards Josh O’Dell’s workspace. While at first glance she appears as a fierce presence, she is a true sweetheart; petting her […]

Features

Ohio School Districts Split on Merits of Consolidation

By Ethan Bloomfield, Photos by PJ Marolt Elementary school students in the Jackson City School District wake up on a Monday morning and make their way to school by bus, by car or on foot by 8:55. Whether Northview, Westview or Southview, each student reports to an elementary school built with their generation’s needs in […]

Features

Exploring the roots, impact of bluegrass in Southeast Ohio

By Katie Millard, Photos by Lena Kalantzis Fiddles and banjos underscore Southeast Ohio, with a surprising history connected to the region. Coal and soot fell from stomping boots as miners, factory workers and families were swept up in rising fiddles and train-whistle harmonies. After long shifts, the blue-collar workers who made Southern Ohio often relaxed […]

Features

An account of Southeast Ohio’s lesser-known roadside museums  

By Ethan Bloomfield, Photos by Danielle Smith and Milton Lindsay Stepping up to the second floor of the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center, I’m faced with an immense oil painting of a table set for eight. The plainly dressed family, solemn with their heads bowed, sit before empty plates ready for cool milk, fresh […]

In Your Neighborhood

Introducing Marietta’s two newest K-9’s

By Olivia Justus, Photos by Lena Kalantzis A ball of brown and black fuzz flies through the open door, tripping over her leash. Phoenix’s tongue flops out of her mouth as she jumps on the entire news staff. Minutes later, a coat black as the night sky charges up the staircase with his large body […]

Talking Points

One commission’s decision brings fracking to Ohio state parks

By Katy Snodgrass, Photos provided by Randi Podlaknik Outside the Ohio Statehouse, a hush falls over the unruly crowd. A buzz of anticipation looms in the cold, rainy October air. Protestors shivering in raincoats and hiding under umbrellas wait for boisterous speeches to commence. The crowd listens patiently to a slew of speakers, a litany […]

What's Your Story?

Brooke Miller offers doula services for mothers in Southeast Ohio

By Savannah Dawson, Photos by Milton Lindsay As maternal mortality rates rise across the U.S., Brooke Miller works to make birth comforting and empowering. In addition to her work as a mother of three and an intervention specialist at Zane Trace Elementary School, Brooke Miller has a third job. In her work as a doula, […]

The Scene

Aralyn’s Alliance Rocks shows support during Aralyn Slack’s Illness

By Olivia Justus, Photos provided by Terri Crothers Terri Crothers slowly pushes the kayak into Brush Creek in Adams County. She hops on and ventures into the waters in search of 15 to 20 pounds of rocks to paint. Each rock is handpicked, hand washed and sanitized before Crothers brushes her first stroke of paint. […]

Behind the Bite

Amanda Cox’s Chocolate Shop brings creativity to Cambridge

Written and Photos by Danielle Smith Since childhood, chocolate has represented love and togetherness for Amanda Cox. From an early age she began making chocolate around holidays with her mother and grandmother. She originally made buckeye nuts with her family, a treat now carried in her store Nothing But Chocolate.   Cox started her chocolate career […]

Talking Points

Southeast Ohio loses a distinguished beekeeper and advocate, Carmen Conrad

By Savannah Dawson, Photos by Owen McDermott A memorial bench rests at site of the Lithopolis HoneyFest, held annually on the streets of Lithopolis, honoring local bee farmer Barry Conrad. Soon his wife, Carmen, will be honored with a bench near his, inscribed with a message that will preserve her legacy as the region’s foremost […]

In Your Neighborhood

Business is Blooming: The story of McConnelsville’s lavender shop

Written and Photos by Cam Robertson In 2015, Mark Ponchak planted his first lavender plant on a whim. Eight years later, what started as a quirky experiment grew into a robust lavender operation featuring over 800 plants.  A box of old mail—that conveniently had some lavender enclosed— inspired Ponchak to plant his first plot of […]

In Your Neighborhood

Midway Speedway tracks improvements and racing culture

Written and Photos by PJ Marolt Start your Engines Massive vibrations shake the ground. Green-layered hills span the looming spotlights. Hundreds of people pepper the landscape, spread across the stands and the track. Red clay rains from the infield, covering fans too close to the fence, in search of a closer look of the ⅜-mile […]

In Your Neighborhood

Sisterville’s 200-year old Ferry service

By Max Wolter, Photos by Danielle Smith Driving down State Route 7 along the West Virginia border, I pass a riverside restaurant and pull into a gravel driveway leading to the water. As I get out of the car, I spot the Sistersville Ferry across the Ohio River. The boat creeps away from the dock […]

Talking Points

Wayne National Forest changes its name to Buckeye National Forest

Written and Photos by Henry Jost In August, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a proposal to rename Ohio’s only national forest, Wayne National Forest. It could soon be called Buckeye National Forest. After requests from American Indian Tribes and local community members, the USDA announced a proposal to change the name of Wayne National […]

Uncategorized

Licensing

Cracker Plant Podcast (Part 1 & 2) Poet Laureate Video

Features

The Price of Plastic

Petrochemical Industry Looks to Expand in Appalachia Written and photos by Liz Parstch For years, Southeast Ohio has been a hub for fossil fuel jobs that the industry claims employ millions. With the rise of coal mining in the 19th century and the fracking boom of the 2000s, the industry presents its latest push: plastic […]

In Your Neighborhood

Tootles Pumpkin Inn provides live music and a spooky good time

By Kate Mauer, Photos by Carrie Legg

Web Exclusive

Pioneer Progress: The Story of Marietta Basketball’s Jon Vanderwal

By Joe Collins, Photos by Carrie Legg With 16 years in the books for Marietta Pioneers Men’s Basketball coach, Jon VanderWal, and the rest of the team, the season ends with a 17-11 finish and a loss in the Ohio Athletic Conference championship to Mount Union, a team who just lost the Division III NCAA National championship. […]

The Scene

Ben’s Happy Trails Riding Stable and Campground: A Story of Horses and a Home

By Audrianna Wilde, Photo by Carrie Legg

Features

The Women of Appalachia Project features art for the soul

by Kate Mauer, Photos by Jesse Jarrold-Grapes

In Your Neighborhood

Stockport Mill Inn: Morgan County’s historic waterside getaway

Written and photo by Liz Partsch
This historic inn offers a touch of nature and escape from reality alongside the Muskingum River

Behind the Bite

Deep-Cut Tavern serves up burgers, french fries and friendship

Friends, family and, of course, deep-fried hamburgers are what keep Deep-Cut Tavern regulars coming back for more. The signature dish is made from fresh, local hamburger meat that is crusted with a secret spice and breading blend. It is then deep fried and perfectly dressed in locally grown tomatoes and finished with lettuce, onion, cheese […]

In Your Neighborhood

A new DAWN for addiction recovery

In Your Neighborhood / Summer 2023 Issue Addiction Recovery in Southeast Ohio Ohio’s Project DAWN ensures that everyone has access to the opiate antagonist Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, and provides Ohioans with a new outlook on addiction, recovery and rehabilitation. Coordinated by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Project DAWN is a program designed […]

Features

Ohio Poet Laureate is rooted in poetic justice

Gunter-Seymour speaks of her career as a gift she attributes to her family, but her journey to embracing poetry wasn’t a straight shot.

In Your Neighborhood

ABC Players offers a new sensory-friendly shift to theater

“You had teenagers who were walking up and down the aisle making vocalizations. You had someone … groaning during all of the dialogue, and as soon as the music and dancing started, he was just excited and watching,” Korpi says.

Features

Food networks unite to provide food to Southeast Ohio communities

By Anna Birk, Photo by Joe Timmerman

Features

Cleaning Up Coal

By Joe Timmerman and Tre Spencer

The future of coal in a small village along the Ohio River looks bleak as the General James M. Gavin Power Plant contaminates groundwater with coal ash.

Features

The Barn Artist

Having grown up drawing, Hagan took on painting during high school. At age 19, he decided he wanted more of a challenge.

“I just was starting to figure out that I liked painting things that were on the bigger scale,” Hagan says. “The biggest thing I could find to challenge myself was the side of [my] dad’s barn there.”

Now, he is known as “Barn Artist.”

What's Your Story?

Rhythm of the Knight

Written by Lauren Serge, Photos by Liz Parstch By day, Chris Nevil works as a financial planner, an adjunct professor and president of the Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance (SEORA). On certain evenings and weekends, however, Nevil transforms into Kazma Knights, a glamorous and sassy drag queen hosting events across Southeast Ohio.  When did you first […]

Behind the Bite

Portsmouth restaurant Donut Distillery is sweet and savory fun

By Dori Gray, Photo by Jesse Jarrold-Grapes

Unlike most restaurants, mimosas are not reserved for brunchtime within the walls of Donut Distillery. Its “Boozie Menu” takes the tipsy tradition a step further with the Mimosa Pairing Flight, which couples the eatery’s titular features: donuts and alcohol.

Web Exclusive