Month: May 2023

Summer Edition

Summer Edition

Editorial Staff Profiles, Part 2

With this semester coming to a close, we thought to share profiles on our editorial teams. Meet the Driftwood staff!

Jasmine Puls: Editor, Social Media Intern, Health and Safety Chair for UWGB, SGA

Jasmine Puls might have joined the Driftwood team a bit later into the semester, but she has enjoyed every moment she’s been in it. She gives the class and its teacher a ten out of ten, but Professor Rysavy isn’t the only professor whom she has praised. That honor goes to Professor Carr for being the best Communications teacher. They were so kind, patient, and understanding, even making Jasmine consider having her major be Communications. Currently, her major is in Psychology, and possibly thanks to Professor Carr’s guidance, she is minoring in Communications. Following college, she hopes to continue working with kids and teaching their future.

Though, during her time in college, one of her funniest moments has been “borrowing” a cart from the Union and making a “roller coaster” in the maintenance tunnels. Her advice for students starting out in college though? Get out there! Join organizations, make friends, and talk to your teachers. Make this college experience your own. Jasmine has made many new friends that she loves, and she looks forward to making more. Visit her in the SGA room on the Green Bay campus!

Ariel Rutten: Editor, Undefeated Foosball Champion of One Very Specific UWGB Table

What class allows you to write and submit a silly article about putting googly eyes on random objects? Practicum in Litarary Publishing, of course. The creative flexibility within the Driftwood is one of Ariel’s favorite parts about the class.The Practicum has been good practice for Ariel, for she is majoring in Writing and Applied Arts with an emphasis in editing and publishing. Ariel has had several fun experiences in college thus far, but one of her favorites has been going to get hot chocolate at the university’s coffee shop so often, they know her on sight now. Another fun moment she had was when it was raining one day, and she told her friends that “the boys got to go on a swim” while wearing shark slides. It cracked everyone up, and she never felt like more of a comedian at that moment.

While it is not exactly a shout-out to a professor, Ariel once did a book project with Professor William Yazbec. It was a project about the world’s cringiest erotic romance novel—The Dragon’s Bride by Katee Robert—and after it, the professor bought the book. He is now reading the epic love story between a woman and a big dragon. What could go wrong?

Andrew Wiegman: Editor, Music Lover, and Driftwood Enigma

Andrew wanted to preserve his mysterious aura, but check out his “Music” section of the Driftwood and past articles on the Driftwood blog to get a great feel for his writerly personality, as his pieces all boast his unique, signature voice and humor. 

Aidann Woodcock: Co-Editor-In-Chief, Star Wars Nerd, Half Brain-Fried,
Other Half Knows Random Trivia

That’s me! It has been a great honor to take part in the Driftwood and the Northern Lights as a Co- Editor-in-Chief. It has been a blast to take part in this class, and I enjoyed writing for it every week. This is in due part because of the fantastic work of our professor, Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, who has been one of my favorite teachers. My favorite moments in class are when it has been completely silent for like ten minutes as we’re all focused on editing our writings, then out of nowhere, someone speaks and makes half of us jump.

Currently, I’m going for a Writing and Applied Arts degree, and this class has really shown me what I could be looking forward to in the years to come! College has been quite the experience for me, for I’ve always been from a small town where everyone knows each other. It’s like a fresh start, but one of my favorite things to do on campus is to sit down and just read a book for pleasure. Those seats at Manitowoc are so comfortable.

Though, one of the funniest moments I’ve had in college so far was when I was helping set up the Pride Center at the Manitowoc Campus. We were the group sent out to collect information, phablets,  photographs, and small items to take back for inspiration for the new Pride Center. I went with two other students, and it was amazing to visit the main UWGB campus, but most of us came from the small-town culture. We were given a lot of colorful items to bring back, but we were shocked when we were given flavored “protection” to bring back. The look on the other two students’ faces was hysterical, but  the experience was just incredible.

Summer Self-Care

You’ve made it through finals week and across the finish line (at least for this year), and now it’s finally summer. Be sure to build in time for rest and fun, even if you’re working or taking classes,—and go outside to soak up some all-important Vitamin D. As a quick reminder, you can find past issues of this e-newsletter on our Driftwood blog, if you want to check back on some of our entertainment suggestions and tips for enjoying the great outdoors in your downtime. The Driftwood editors wish you a happy, wonderful, restful summer! 

Summer Edition

Quick Shark DIY Projects

The best part of the summer season is arguably Shark Week on Discovery Channel (July 11-18, 2023), so start preparing early and get some cute decorations going. Ready the glue-gun!

• Golf-Ball Sharks. A simple craft, all you need is grey/blue paint for the golf balls, a Sharpie for the jaws, googly eyes for the eyes (obviously), and grey/blue craft foam for the fins. Keep your little sharky guys upright with an upside-down bottle-cap, and they’ll be the talk of the party! (Photo courtesy of CraftKlatch.com.) 
• Dorsal-Fin Headbands. A crucial piece of attire that matches any outfit. This one requires a blue or grey headband, construction paper or craft foam for the fin, and then either tape or glue to bring it all together.
• Paper Plate Shark Jaws. This one’s easy and makes for lovely home decorations. All you need are paper plates and scissors. Fold the plate in-half and backwards (as in the bottom is bent toward you.) Then, using the scissors, cut the inner edges of the plate in M-shaped patterns on the top half and bottom half. Snip away at the space around the teeth so it’s all open in the middle. Shark teeth are fairly jagged so don’t worry about being precise. Hang up the plates around the walls and feel like you’re in a totally jaw-some shark-mouth museum.
• “Shark Sighted” Lawn Signs. Let your guests and neighbors know what’s what in your house this week. For this idea, you’ll need a sturdy poster board, markers, yard sticks, and strong tape. Referencing actual signs, start out with writing out the big ol’ “WARNING” letters across the top, then follow with a diamond. Trace a shark or a fin inside the diamond and add the cheeky “Shark Sighted” along the bottom.

All of these crafts and their tutorials can be found with a quick Google search. Happy crafting and have a fin-tastic Shark Week this summer.

Summer Edition

Everyone has that one thing they enjoy more than anything to pass the time. It might be knitting, clothespin art, or even painting. For those of you looking for new or more challenging hobbies, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve picked out ultimate, step-it-up activities to push your perseverance and boost your creativity.

Let’s Go Make a Kite

I’ve never had luck flying kites. If they went up, they came down a little too quickly. If they didn’t go up, I would drag them across the dusty gravel driveway praying for something more efficient than a gentle breeze. Once, I even made my own kite, but it didn’t turn out. Still, there was nothing more fun than that rare successful flight.

According to nationalkitemonth.org, no one knows exactly when or where kites originated from. However, early evidence points to China. It’s said that General Han Hsin used a kite in 500 B.C., flying it over the walls of his enemy in order to use it for measuring the distance, his men would have to tunnel to reach the city on the other side, so they could surprise those within (and it worked, too). From there, traders brought this new invention to Korea, Asia, and India. It became such a popular pastime in Japan that government officials believed it distracted commoners from their occupations. And over the years, kites have been used both as war equipment and as children’s toys by other countries as well.

While there are certainly other designs out there that require more impressive materials, you can put one of these plane-like creations together if you have some lightweight construction paper (the more colorful the better!); kite or other light-weight, braided line; scissors; and staples or tape to hold some of the edges in a folded position. You’ll want to take your sheet of paper of whichever size you choose and fold it into a paper plane (don’t crease it, only staple the points). And if you’re not familiar with folding paper planes, that’s okay! We’ve included a tutorial at the bottom that will walk you through the process.

Attach your string midway on the underside. Create a frilly tail if desired, because, hey, it’s about the only decoration you’ll be able to see when it finally takes off.

Do you think kite-making might be your next ultimate hobby? For visual instructions on how to put one together, check out this tutorial here.

Summer Edition

It may feel like the winter weather will never let up, but planting season is just around the corner! And whether you have a green thumb or have never grown a thing in your life, this is the perfect year to gear up your garden with some new gardening know-hows.

Celery

Summer is approaching fast and so are our favorite summer snacks. What does this have to do with gardening? Celery. That’s right; an oldy but a goody, ants on a log (or no ants) is tasty, healthy, and the celery sticks to go with your peanut butter and raisins can be started in your own backyard. With these tips below, you’ll be spreading the peanut butter in no time!

1. Choose your own adventure. Celery can be planted a few ways, depending on what’s available to you. You can choose from seeds, transplants at your local nursery, or the cut-off roots of store-bought ones. Using seeds ensures you know what variety you have, but they must be planted in your greenhouse or pots in advance for best results (10-12 weeks before the last frost). Purchasing transplants or using kitchen scraps means you’ll have results much sooner, though you may not get the kind you want.
2. Prep your seed (or transplant). Because these leafy little guys take up to 140 days to mature, it’s important to start early. For those of you who’d like to grow celery this year, try the Bottle Garden idea below, as it may be too late for successful outdoor results.Celery prefers rich, moist (not soggy) soil with compost or well-rotted manure (found at local farms or in store garden sections). Fill a box of the desired size four inches deep, then sprinkle a generous handful of seeds on the surface, followed by burying them just enough that they can’t be seen. When they have three or four mature leaves (around three inches tall) and the ground averages 50°F, transplant them eight inches apart in the garden or into gallon-sized containers with drainage holes.
3. OR, alternatively, purchase a bundle of celery. Cut the stalks about three inches above the base, removing the outermost material, then place the base into one inch of water for twelve days. Be sure to change the water every few days. At the end of this time frame, there should be some new greenery sprouted and at least a few roots. For placement in the garden or a container, be sure to thoroughly soak the hole and bury the base one inch deep. Again, be sure the ground is the proper temperature.
4. Maintain your plants. When growing in containers, you may want to provide extra nutrients through amending the soil with organic potting mix or applying half-strength liquid organic fertilizer every couple weeks. Make sure they receive six or eight hours of sunlight a day and daily watering. Failing to water them often enough may lead to a bitter flavor, stunted growth, or a lack of producing edible stems completely (soak but don’t puddle!). Spreading mulch will also help keep celery from drying out.
5. Reap the rewards. A fun thing about celery is it will grow back as long as the weather is favorable. It’s okay if it gets chilly out occasionally (in the 50s) and there’s no need to cover them up because this plant actually prefers a cooler environment. Cut the stalks an inch above the ground, taking one at a time as needed or even the whole bunch. Also, note that leaving the innermost ones will mean the outer ones will grow faster.

Growing Ideas

1. Bottle Garden. As explained above, celery and containers get along well. One creative way you can grow them is in a bottle garden. Cut a 2-liter pop bottle midway up, then flip the top half upside down inside the other part like a funnel, poking a few holes near the base of said funnel for the roots to pass through. Fill the top half with dirt and the bottom with water. Cut the second bottle the same way, using the bottom half as a top for the first one. When he’s outgrown the lid, simply take it off. And voila!
2. Square-Foot Filler. If you’re thinking about having a square foot garden, celery makes a great filler as it gets along with bush and pole beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, chives, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, and, well, many more plants. Not only that but you can grow four plants in one space, maximizing your harvesting potential.

Summer Edition

Ice Cream Shops

Looking for a place to enjoy some ice cream or frozen treats? Feeling hungry, too? These restaurants have just what you need! Visit these locations in Menominee, MI and Green Bay, WI for a great meal and a tasty dessert. Also, food delivery is available for both!

Marinette

Downtown Sandwich & Ice Cream Shoppe (906/863-2376): Located at 100 10th Avenue, Menominee, MI. Also known as the “Sub Shoppe,” this family-owned restaurant serves subs, tacos, grill food, and ice cream. Some of the current ice cream flavors include Espresso Chocolate Chunk, Vanilla Berry Swirl, Black Cherry, Blue Moon, Coconut Joy, and Strawberry Cheesecake Yogurt. Celebrating 50 years of business, the Sub Shoppe is known for their delectable subs and their community involvement. As a celebration of their anniversary, the store has been raffling off gift baskets with T-shirts and gift certificates. There is also “A Spoonful of Hope,” which is a fun, color-changing spoon to enjoy ice cream that is available to purchase for one dollar, and all proceeds are donated to local children that are fighting cancer. Come visit the Downtown Sandwich and Ice Cream Shoppe, open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Green Bay

Zesty’s Frozen Custard & Grill (920/857-9067): Located at 2639 Lineville Road, Green Bay. This restaurant serves a full menu with plenty of food options such as burgers, sandwiches, soup, salads, as well as frozen custard. Zesty’s is known for their wonderful frozen custard selection and their outdoor seating, which is perfect for hot summer days. There are “novelty scrambles” featured on the menu with flavors such as Berry Cheesecake, S’mores, Mint Blast, Cotton Candy, and Ooey Gooey Cookie Dough. Many of those choices are made with vanilla or chocolate frozen custard with various toppings and ingredients mixed in. The other dessert options include sundaes, root beer floats, shakes, malts, and non-dairy smoothies. In addition to the food and frozen custard, Zesty’s also offers the La Java coffee and tea menu. Stop by Zesty’s, open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Summer Edition

You’ve reached the place where all the bad, but oh-so-satisfying entertainment exists. Here, in the Trash Vortex, we provide you with only the trashiest, most bingeworthy recommendations. It’s a dark hole you won’t escape!

Trashy Series

Try a so-bad-it’s amazing TV series for those rainy summer days when you don’t want to be outside.

Hemlock Grove

Hemlock Grove is peak trash. Between the melodramatic plotlines, the hammy acting from otherwise talented actors, and the unintentional (until it isn’t) homoeroticism between the two leads, Hemlock Grove is a very bad, very enjoyable show. Following Peter Rumancek, a Romani teen whose family has just moved to a new town (the eponymous Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania), Hemlock Grove feels like producer Eli Roth’s response to the mid-2000s teen vampire craze. Oh, that’s right: Peter is a werewolf. And Hemlock Grove is a town inhabited by monsters—including the morose teen vampire Roman Godfrey, played by a Bill Skarsgaard who hasn’t quite perfected his American accent yet.

As a Netflix original, the production value of this show almost manages to trick you into thinking it’s good. Don’t be fooled. Hemlock Grove is a show that thinks it’s deep, introduces some promising concepts, and then gets lost in the woods on its way to deliver the punchline. And yet? With its lush scenery and lingering cinematography, it so effectively creates a foreboding atmosphere that you’re hooked from the jump. Available free on Tubi.

—Kana Coonce, Trash Vortex Editor

Vanderpump Rules

A few years ago, my youngest brother demanded that I watch former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Vanderpump’s reality show Vanderpump Rules, so we could talk about it. I caved and gave it a try, and the result was a summertime catchup binge the likes of which has never occurred in my household before or since. It’s the trashiest good time, and the current season is far and away the most dramatic and addictive of them all. Vanderpump follows a handful of young, good-looking would-be actors and actresses who start out the series waiting tables or bartending at Lisa’s flagship restaurant SUR (which stands for Sexy Urban Restaurant). The staff takes workplace fraternization to another level, constantly dating and dramatically breaking up with each other, slinging drinks in various coworkers’ faces, and occasionally threatening to set one another on fire. What makes it all bearable is the genuine care and love the cast seems to feel for each other, even amid the frequent petty feuds. 

As the world went into lockdown in 2020, the Vanderpump drama slowed waaaay down, with the cast throwing mild-mannered house parties in quarantine and having real-estate adventures. I thought I might have to give up the show. I mean, if I wanted to watch someone milk drama out of home-repair challenges, I’d film myself. But the 2023 season came roaring back with a vengeance when longtime Vanderpump couple Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix split after Tom cheated with pageant queen Raquel Leviss and tried to gaslight Ariana into thinking it was all her fault. Her friends circled the wagons around her, with lots of shouting and finger-stabbing at Tom, and Ariana used the breakup to reinvent her life. In the wake of “Scandoval,” Tom has been left getting booed at his tragically off-key band’s So-Cal concerts, while Ariana has booked gigs on Dancing with the Stars and a Lifetime movie called Buying Back My Daughter, in addition to accepting an invitation to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. It’s a well-deserved karma boomerang coupled with an inspiring you-go-girl arc that has me riveted.

Yes, my weekdays are spent reading and teaching literature, but Wednesday nights are my time to decompress, turn my brain off, and watch someone else’s drama. If you need something mindless this summer, Vanderpump Rules will be just what you ordered. All seasons streaming on Peacock, with new episodes airing weekly on Bravo.

—Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, Driftwood Advisor

Summer Edition

Things to Keep You Occupied Over the Summer

This summer is already looking to be a hot one … so why not spend it indoors? Here’s a few things to keep you occupied.

The House in Fata Morgana

Not to be dramatic, but this game changed my life. Set in a supposedly cursed castle and spanning hundreds of years, The House in Fata Morgana begins as an anthology of sorts. Upon the unnamed protagonist’s arrival in the run-down castle, they are greeted by a woman who introduces herself only as “The Maid,” who regales them with tales of the castle’s past in an attempt to jog their memory. These tales are grim, gory, and always revolve around the same white-haired girl, who endures tragedy lifetime after lifetime with no memory of her previous lives.

To say too much about the plot of this game would spoil some of the magic of playing through it for the first time, but between the gorgeous character sprites, the eclectic soundtrack, and the gripping writing, there is a reason The House in Fata Morgana‘s 2021 rerelease for the Nintendo Switch received a 96 on Metacritic. Available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Steam.

Fata Morgana deals with heavy themes, so content warning for blood, graphic descriptions of violence, suicide, marginalized characters facing violence and discrimination, and a general trend of characters committing and/or enduring unspeakable acts. While these themes are handled earnestly and respectfully, the story’s focus lies in making the reader empathize with characters in terrible situations, so if you’re concerned about any of its content, a more detailed list can be found from its English publisher here. 

Infinity Train

Okay, so this one’s a bit shorter. Spanning four seasons of ten episodes that sit at ten minutes each, Infinity Train is a pretty quick watch … which is all the more reason you should give it a try. When teenage Tulip runs away from her Oshkosh home hoping to make it to game-design camp, she happens to board, well, the wrong train. This train is massive, ever-changing, and filled with all manner of pocket dimensions containing terrors ranging from shadowy Lovecraftian beasts to maliciously programmed machinery. Along the way Tulip will meet Atticus, the king of a corgi nation; One-One, a friendly-yet-depressed robot; the Cat, a mysterious feline who conducts all manner of shady business across the train; and more of the train’s strange, sometimes-charming, sometimes-terrifying denizens. Each season of Infinity Train revolves around a different cast of characters (some of them minor characters from previous seasons), so even when one adventure ends, another begins. This series sports some of the most solid character writing in television, animated or not, so even if you’re not. Available to rent on YouTube and other streaming sites. 

—Kana Coonce, Horror Editor