Month: April 2020

April 28-May 14, 2020

Plant Care as Self-Care

Looking for something to do during quarantine? Consider buying a few plants and looking after them, as it is good to take care of something living, and they may boost your morale while you are stuck inside. They don’t necessarily have to be outdoor plants, like tulips, lilies, or hostas. Some indoor options include succulents like aloe (which you can make into hand sanitizer), a hens and chicks plant, a Christmas cactus, or burrow’s tail, or flowering plants like peace lilies, orchids, or hanging baskets.

One of the many issues people often face with indoor plants is proper care and maintenance. For succulents, water only when the soil feels dry to the touch (not slightly damp, I mean bone dry). When the plant appears to become “leggy” (babies are sprouting off in several directions), you can cut the sprouts off and leave the “wound” to heal. Once the cut dries up after a few days, you can stick the sprout you cut off in soil and make a new plant.

Orchids are the most finicky of the house plants I mentioned, but if they are given proper care, you will have beautiful, full blooms year-round for many years. Orchids are not meant to be grown in soil and can be seen in the wild growing in trees. Their roots absorb moisture from the air and do not need any other nutrients (in general). The best way to water these plants is to either take an ice cube or two, set it on top of the “roots,” and let them melt over time, or spray the “roots” with water from a spray bottle.  Either method should be repeated once a week or once every other week.

Regular potted house plants are generally simple and should be watered only when the soil feels dry to the immediate touch. They should also be re-potted when they appear to be getting too big for their enclosure, or if they start to go dormant.

If you don’t already own some plants, I recommend visiting a local greenhouse. They are open for business, though limited due to COVID-19. While some of the plants mentioned can be found at Walmart, I personally recommend Erik’s Garden Center, located off Hwy. 41 at 1932 US-41, Marinette. Plant shopping is a great way to get out of the house for just a little bit without coming into contact with a lot of people and will help support local businesses.

Some excellent books for advice on growing house plants can be found on the internet. One of the best websites for books is Thriftbooks, which offers many houseplant care books for under $10.

—Emily Burns

April 28-May 14, 2020

In the Kitchen with Breanne

As always, we’re bringing you easy recipes to cook while in quarantine. This issue’s offerings include Potato Chip Frittata, Mac and Cheese Bombs, Cheeseburger Cups, and Chicken Parm Sliders!

Potato Chip Frittata

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• ½ medium yellow onion, minced
• 8 large eggs
• ¼ cup sour cream, plus more for garnish
• 1½ cup sour cream and onion chips, plus more for garnish
• 2 Tbsp. chopped chives (could use parsley), plus more for garnish
• Kosher salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are golden and caramelized . . . 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine eggs and sour cream in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add chips and chives and stir to combine. Let sit 10 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
3. When onions are caramelized, pour egg mixture into skillet, and stir to evenly distribute potato chips.
4. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until eggs are just set, 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Let cool for 5 minutes and garnish with sour cream, more chips, and chives (or parsley) before serving.
6. Enjoy!

Mac and Cheese Bombs

Ingredients

• 1 box macaroni and cheese, plus ingredients called for on the box
• 1 ½ cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
• 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Kosher salt for taste
• Black pepper for taste
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tbsp. milk
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs (whatever breadcrumbs you have)
• Chopped parsley for garnishing
• Vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Prepare mac and cheese according to packaged instructions. While mac and cheese is still hot, add cheddar and Monterey jack cheese, along with cayenne until cheese is melted. Transfer mac and cheese to large bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (about 3 hours).
2. Set up dredging station: in small bowl, season flour with salt and pepper. In second small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Place breadcrumbs in third small bowl.
3. Using small cookie scoop, scoop small balls of mac and cheese. Toss each ball in seasoned flour, dunk in egg mixture to coat, and then dredge in breadcrumbs. Refrigerate until ready to fry.
4. In large pot or skillet, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat. Meanwhile, place wire rack inside of large baking sheet. When oil is very hot (about 350 degrees), add four to five mac and cheese balls. Cook until very golden all over (about 2 minutes per side). Transfer balls to wire rack and sprinkle with salt and parsley. Repeat with rest of mac and cheese balls.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

Cheeseburger Cups

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 6 burger buns, split
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 lb. ground beef
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Kosher salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 3 slices cheddar cheese (or shredded)
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• 12 pickle chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease muffin tin with cooking spray. Flatten burger bun halves to ¼ inch thick with rolling pin and place one half cut-side up in muffin cup.
2. In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring until soft for about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up meat with spoon until no longer pink for about 6 minutes. Drain fat.
3. Return beef mixture to skillet and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Divide beef mixture among bun cups and top each with cheddar cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, and buns are golden, about 10 minutes.
4. Drizzle cups with ketchup and mustard and top with a pickle.
5. Enjoy!

Chicken Parm Sliders

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lb. fresh or frozen breaded chicken
• 12 slider buns
• 2 cups marinara
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley

Directions:

1. Prepare chicken according to package instructions.
2. Transfer chicken to cutting board and cut into slider-sized pieces.
3. On a large baking sheet, lay bottom halves of slider buns. Top with thin layer of marinara, cooked chicken, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Top with remaining slider bun halves.
4. In small bowl, stir together melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley. Brush bun tops with butter mixture and bake until cheese is melty and sliders are warmed through, about 15 minutes.
5. Enjoy!

—Breanne Bedgood, Food Editor

News, Events, and Happenings on the Marinette Campus

While the Marinette campus is “social distancing” at home, the Driftwood e-newsletter will bring you tips for navigating life as an online student, as well as suggestions for entertaining yourself while you’re stuck inside.

Issue #5 Contents: 

• Campus News: Fall Course Offerings and Graduation
• Important Campus Services: Financial Assistance
• Theatre & Arts: In-Home Entertainment Options
• Library News: Mallory Allen Wins March Madness
• Recommended Reads: The Royal We 
• Sports and Fitness #1: Healthy Recipes
• Sports and Fitness #2: UREC Zumba at Home
• Cooking at Home: Easy Desserts
• Self-Care Corner: Coping with Loneliness

The Driftwood is published by the Marinette campus Practicum in Literary Publishing class.

• Books Editor: Emily Burns
• Events Editor: Sierra Adams
• Food Editor: Breanne Bedgood
• Services & Self-Care Editor: Indigo Ramirez
• Sports Editor: A.J. Corey
• Theater & Arts Editor: Cassidy MacArthur

Questions or News Items? Contact The Driftwood’s advisor, Tracy Fernandez Rysavy. 

April 14-28, 2020

Fall Course Enrollment is Open!

The Fall 2020 schedule is available, and enrollment is open. Make an appointment with your advisor to talk about class options. E-mail Bethany Welch at welchb@uwgb.edu or call her at 715-504-3322.

If you haven’t already done so, visit fafsa.gov to complete your 2020-21 FAFSA. Feel free to e-mail Financial Aid with any questions. Marinette campus Student Services Information Specialist Pam Olson can also help with financial aid questions: olsonp@uwgb.edu or 715-735-4301.

Apply for Spring Graduation

If you’re eligible to graduate from the Marinette Campus in May, please remember to apply for graduation through SIS. If you need help or more info, contact Student Advisor Bethany Welch (welchb@uwgb.edu or 715-504-3322) or Student Services Information Specialist Pam Olson (olsonp@uwgb.edu or 715-735-4301).

Interim Chancellor Sheryl Van Gruensven recently announced that the class of 2020’s graduation ceremony has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the Kress Center on the main campus. Watch your campus e-mail for more details.

Unfortunately, “we know some graduates will be unable to participate in the ceremony in person for a variety of reasons,” Van Gruensven notes. “This day belongs to every member of the Class of 2020. If you are not able to be physically present, please join your class via livestream.”

April 14-28, 2020

Financial Help for Students During COVID-19 Outbreak

If you’re struggling for any reason during these strange times, the Marinette Campus is here to help. If you’re having financial hardship, simply e-mail GBOSS@uwgb.edu to request emergency funds—for rent, computer equipment, or other critical needs.

April 14-28, 2020

In-Home Entertainment Recommendations

Our Theatre & Arts editor recommmends games to play, podcasts to listen to, shows to watch, and theatre to stream while you #StayAtHome.

Buzzfeed Unsolved—Want a funny pick-me-up during this global crisis? Watch Buzzfeed Unsolved! A conspiracy theorist, Ryan Bergara, tries to convince his skeptic friend, Shane Madej, that things like ghosts are real, all while they investigate numerous unsolved crimes, disappearances, and just plain weird events. They alternate seasons between unsolved supernatural mysteries and true-crime ones. Available on YouTube.

Podcast Recommendation: King Falls AM—A new late-night radio host moves to a sleepy mountain town for work, only to find one of his listeners seemingly abducted by aliens live on air on his first night of broadcast. Available on the King Falls website, Spotify, and other platforms.

Streaming Recommendation: Derry Girls—A group of friends navigate their teenage lives during the Northern Ireland Conflict in the 1990s. Available on Netflix. 

Game Recommendation: Minecraft—A classic game from our childhoods that still manages to surprise us everyday (They added bees! Bees!), Minecraft is an open-world survival game that uses blocks as landscape. Available on minecraft.net for $26.95.

Theatre Recommendation: National Theatre at Home presents Jane Eyre—Tune in from now through April 16th to the National Theatre at Home Youtube channel for the classic story of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre in a new and interesting play version.

—Cassidy MacArthur, Theater & Arts Editor

April 14-28, 2020

Mallory Allen Wins March Book Madness!

March Book Madness has come to an end, and the book that ruled them all is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird! Mallory Allen had the winning bracket for Marinette, scoring 115 points—also besting the top winners in Manitowoc and Sheboygan. Other winners in Marinette included Lillian Sellen (2nd), Erin Mahnke (3rd), Sierra Pugh (4th), and Keith Rose and Abigail Marquart (tied for 5th). View the final bracket and the leaderboards here.

Cheryl Charon, Marinette campus Library Services Assistant, says she’ll get the winners their prizes as soon as campus reopens.

Set in rural Alabama during the Great Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird details the trial of Tom Robinson, a young Black man unjustly accused of raping a white woman. The story is told through the eyes of eight-year-old Scout Finch, whose father Atticus tries to help right the wrong done to Robinson by serving as his lawyer. In addition to being UW-Green Bay’s top read, this powerhouse work was named America’s Best Loved Novel in PBS’s The Great American Read poll in 2018.

April 14-28, 2020

Looking for a page-turner while you’re stuck inside? Our Driftwood staff will be passing on some of their favorite light reading picks to pass the time while cooped up at home.

The Royal We
by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

Newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently getting more than their share of royal watchers’ attention. But before they came along, it was Prince William and Kate Middleton whose love story occupied the world press. Published in 2015, The Royal We is a thinly veiled re-imagining of their courtship, albeit one that casts Kate as an American.
Rebecca “Bex” Porter is not a romantic at heart. She’s driven, a little clumsy, and a lot snarky. While studying abroad at Oxford University, she finds herself living in the same dorm as Prince Nicholas, the future king of England. He’s much more down to earth than she would have expected. And a lot nicer. And ridiculously good-looking. Of course, she’s intrigued in spite of herself.
Nick is used to people being overly deferential around him–usually because they want something from him. But Bex is different—and it’s not just because she spilled a box of tampons at his feet while wrapped in a towel on their second meeting. He can’t help himself; he’s hooked. The two start seeing each other, trying to keep their relationship a secret from the prying eyes of the ferocious British tabloids.
But once the gossip columns learn that Nick and Bex are dating, chaos erupts: The royal family declares her unsuitable. The media criticizes her relentlessly. The British public seems convinced that she’s an American gold-digger. While Nick has prepared for this kind of frenzy his whole life, it’s all new and all horrible to Bex. Is it worth it to love a man who comes with so much royal baggage?
Written by the founders of the UK fashion blog Go Fug Yourself, The Royal We is a hilariously witty, ton-of-fun ride for those of us who need an optimistic escape read right now. Put down that dystopian bestseller and try this book if you want something that will lift your spirits and make you laugh.  (If you like it, the sequel, The Heir Affair, comes out June 16th.)

April 14-28, 2020

Recipes for Staying Healthy

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many people are looking for things to keep them busy around the house. Cooking healthy but great-tasting meals is one way to stay busy and in shape. Pinterest and Facebook are full of good recipes for people to try while staying quarantined. Below are some of my favorite healthy recipes.

Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp
This recipe is an all-time favorite of mine and is very easy to make. It is also a very good way to keep weight off during quarantine.

• 1 lb. shrimp
• 1 tsp. garlic
• ½ tsp. ginger
• 4 Tbsp. honey
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce.

Add all ingredients to the pan and stir till the shrimp is done.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus
This is another flavor-packed recipe that I make often to help stay healthy and in shape. The only problem you will have with this recipe is that people may get jealous of your cooking abilities.

• 3 boneless chicken breasts, diced.
• Half cup of butter
• 1-2 bunches of asparagus to the pan
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp. parsley
• Squeeze half a lemon into the pan and garnish with the rest

Cook chicken breasts, parsley, and garlic in the butter and olive oil. After the chicken is done, add asparagus. Stir until everything is done to your liking and enjoy!

Pineapple Chicken and Rice
If you’re looking for something a bit out of the box, then this recipe is for you. It adds a sweet and tangy mix to your usual chicken recipes.

• Half pound of boneless chicken breasts
• 20 oz. can of sliced pineapple
• 2 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
• Pepper and salt
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 cups cooked rice

Cook rice and set aside. Cook chicken in oil. Stir rest of ingredients together with chicken and rice in a pan until done.

—A.J. Corey, Sports Editor

April 14-28, 2020

UREC Zumba Classes at Home

As we mentioned in the last issue of the Driftwood, the main campus University Recreation department, or UREC, is offering live fitness classes via Zoom and Facebook Live during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our very own Kristi Aoki, Assistant Director for International Student and Scholar Services, is teaching live Zumba (Latin dance aerobics) classes! We talked to her about her classes and how she’s staying fit at home. 

What is your current position on campus? 
I am the Assistant Director for International Student and Scholar Services. I work with the International students at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. We have students located at the Sheboygan, Marinette, and Green Bay locations. A large part of my job is maintaining immigration compliance for visiting students and scholars.

How did you get started teaching Zumba?
I have been in some type of dance for most of my life. Zumba was a natural fit because I love dancing! I get a great workout and get to do what I love. One year after taking my first Zumba class, I got licensed to teach Zumba classes. I have been teaching at the UWGB Kress Center for 7 years. It has been a wonderful way to connect with colleagues and students.

Why do you recommend Zumba?
I love Zumba because it is a great workout and fun. With most group fitness classes, I find myself staring at the clock waiting for the class to be over. But with Zumba, I am always having so much fun that I never even look at the clock.

What other things are you doing to stay fit?
Right now, I just do a lot of walking and online Zumba or Dance Fitness classes. I sometimes do Yoga because it has so good for strength and flexibility.

What’s it like teaching classes remotely for UREC? Why should students check out the remote classes? 
Teaching classes remotely was surprisingly fun! The classes are offered in real-time, so it still gives a sense of community even though we are all apart.UREC offers [body-weight strength and yoga] classes as well.

Try Zumba! UREC offers Kristi’s Zumba class via Zoom at noon on Wednesdays and Fridays. To join, get the Zoom link by sending a message to the UREC Facebook account or e-mail Kristi at aokik@uwgb.edu.

Try other UREC classes! Find out more about UREC live remote classes on the UREC website or its Facebook page. The class schedule is in both locations.