Driftwood #17: Gamers’ Corner

April 15, 2021

Full Horror

Looking for something spooky to play on those days where it’s all rainy and storming? Well, we got you with these creepy games sure to get your blood pumping.

Five Nights at Freddy’s
Editor’s Verdict: All-Around Winner

FNAF iconImagine this: you’re a new security guard at this old pizzeria called Freddy Fazzbear’s Pizza. The animatronics—Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica—that usually sing on the stage during the day are allowed to wander during the night. And they think that you’re an exoskeleton without its suit. See where this is going? Your tasks in Five Nights at Freddy’s are simple: watch them over the cameras, close the doors when they get too close, don’t lose power, and survive until 6 a.m. As an amazing first start to the FNAF empire, this game features crazy jumpscares, creepy audio, and an underlying plot story that is goosebump-inducing, which earns it the “All-Around Winner” verdict this week. Available from Scott Cawthon on Steam, as well as PS4, Xbox One, Android, IOS, and other platforms. 

Dead Island: Riptide
Editor’s Verdict: COVID-Approved

Riptide iconThree words: Zombie Survival Game. You’ve just landed on Banoi—a tropical island that is infested with zombies, and you have to do your best to survive. Dead Island: Riptide offers interesting quests that have you delving into the overgrown wastelands, upgrading your skills to have a better chance of survival, and just killing some zombies. With different classes of infected that offer their own challenges, beautiful graphics, an interesting storyline that will have you playing for hours on end, and an option for co-op, this game earns the “COVID-Approved” verdict for this week. Available from Techland on Steam, as well as Xbox 360, PS3, and other platforms. 

—Jasmine Hanson, Gaming Editor

Driftwood #17: Recommended Reads

April 15, 2021

Fiction Recommendations

Looking for a page-turner while you’re social distancing? Our Driftwood staff provides some of our favorite light reading picks to pass the time while cooped up at home. 

Girl A
by Abigail DeanGirl A coverLooking for another gripping novel that will keep you flipping through page after page? Abigail Dean gifts us with Girl A, a psychological thriller that explores the relationships between siblings of a broken family, while revealing the difficulty of overcoming trauma. Dean leaves you grasping for answers with each chapter, and you’re left trying to piece the past together up until the last page.After years of forgetting her past and trying to move forward, Lex Gracie has to return to London as the executor of her mother’s will, to distribute what her mother left Lex and her siblings before she died in prison. Now, with the help of her sister Evie, Lex wants to turn their childhood prison, otherwise known to the public as the “House of Horrors,” into a community center for anyone in need of solace or acceptance. Lex must reconnect with her siblings, after being separated for years, to obtain their signatures for the transformation of the house, and this task unravels more family secrets than she would have hoped. Stalked by her past, Lex’s trauma catches up to her and she is no longer able to hide from her own secrets. Girl A had me on the edge of my seat the entire read as more and more of the family secrets were revealed. Lex’s journey with accepting what really happened in the House of Horrors tugs at your heartstrings and really makes you empathize with the children’s gruesome experiences.

—Kira Doman

Whatever Life Throws at You 
by Julie Cross

Cross book coverAnnie Lucas’s world is entirely upended when her single father, a former baseball player whose dreams of an illustrious career in the majors were dashed by bone cancer, is offered the job of a lifetime. Soon, he’s the new pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals. Excited for the adventures ahead, Annie soon finds herself halfway across the country, winning races for her new high school’s prestigious track program and learning to navigate the strange do’s-and-dont’s of professional sports. Perhaps the biggest surprise to Annie, though, is the friendship that blossoms between her and Jason Brody, the Royals’ smoking hot nineteen-year-old rookie pitcher. Brody, with his rocky past and reputation as a ladiesman, should be totally off-limits. Not to mention, their relationship would be forbidden by club management, and Annie’s father would kill them both. But the longer the attraction between Annie and Brody simmers, the harder it becomes for them to ignore…and when they finally give in to their feelings, both know full well that if their secret affair is ever discovered, it could have disastrous consequences. Annie never would’ve guessed her move to Missouri would result in her falling in love with an up-and-coming MLB star, but when life throws her a curveball, she knows the only thing she can do is adjust her swing and hit it out of the park.
—Mallory Allen

Driftwood #17: Music Recs

April 15, 2021

A Newer Release

Discover something new to listen to with our favorite album from the past year and a half. 

Fine Line
by Harry Styles

Fine Line album coverReleased December 13, 2019, Harry Styles’s second studio album Fine Line is an absolute masterpiece of heart-felt and heart-wrenching songs. The album is broken up into four categories on the vinyl, and Styles revealed that this was intentional, to truly capture each phase of his feelings during the stages of a relationship. The first four songs are the initial feelings in a relationship, when both parties are very excited to be with each other and that infatuation is at its most prevalent. The second four songs are the rough patches in relationships, or the breakups. These four songs are all very powerful and emotional; the contrast of the acoustic piano in “Falling” and the acoustic guitar in “Cherry” is astounding, and both songs can nearly move me to tears. “She” is an epic and slow 70’s rock-electric guitar sound that just really makes you appreciate the band in this album. The third set of songs are more uplifting again, representing pulling yourself out of that depression that comes with a breakup, and truly making you optimistic to put yourself out there again. These songs are also perfect to blast in your car during the summer, with your windows down. The last song, “Fine Line” is perhaps the most emotional song on the album and truly does make me sob every time I listen to it. Filled with utterly angelic instrumentals and backing vocals, the lyrics in “Fine Line” emphasize the journey of self-love.

Favorite Tracks: “Cherry” and “Fine Line”

—Kira Doman

Driftwood #17: School Tips

April 15, 2021

Favorite Writing Tips

Write Without Fear signAs the semester chugs its way along the second half of its journey, students are preparing to start their finals, which may include various amounts of writing. So, we thought it would be a good idea to give you tips for both writing itself, and the editing process that comes afterwards!

Below are some of the Driftwood staff’s favorites, which can be used for both academic or creative writing in your spare time:

Writing: 

KiraNo distractions: Set your phone aside from your schoolwork to really immerse yourself into your studies with fewer distractions! Start a timer for the chunk of time you’d like to focus on writing, and don’t look at your phone until you hear that timer going off. This means no internet breaks, too!

MalMake an outline: Whether I’m writing an essay or a more creative piece, it always helps me to plan out what I want to say ahead of time. You don’t have to go as far as a formal preparation outline; just organize your thoughts and jot down ideas when they come to you. Having a plan to follow always makes me feel less overwhelmed!

AngelWrite more than needed: I find that I write a better piece in the end when I actually write more than is required. By doing this, I can choose the best sections of my writing and use them in my final piece. I also avoid having to write additional text after editing because my piece is still within the set length requirements, while on the other hand, if I did write “just enough” to start, I’d likely have to add more after editing.

Editing: 

JasmineStart from the bottom: One of my favorite tips for looking over something after I’ve finished writing is to read it from the bottom up.This allows you to focus on each sentence as a whole, and your brain doesn’t skim over as many mistakes. It also is helpful for you to check if your sentences link together in a cohesive way or if they are randomly pushed together.

OliviaListen to your work: After I’ve finished writing an essay, I like to copy it into a text-to-speech converter and listen to the essay. While this might not help me notice any spelling mistakes, it will help me realize if any of my writing sounds clunky or unnatural. Sometimes, when you write something, it sounds better in your head than it does out loud, and hearing someone else read what you’ve written can help you notice those mistakes.

Professor Rysavy—Get a second opinion: After days of editing and tweaking the same piece of writing, I stop being able to spot mistakes, especially the ridiculous kind. That’s where a second set of eyes can prove invaluable. Find a trusted friend who can spot your spelling and grammar errors, or tell you where things are unclear. If you’re the best writer in your friend group, drop in to see the Marinette writing tutors during their virtual tutoring hours. (See “Important Campus Services,” above, for the Marinette tutors’ schedule and links to their virtual office.)

—Jasmine Hanson, School Tips Editor

Driftwood #17: Health & Fitness

April 15, 2021

Strength-Training Workout #3: Pull

Person lifting weightsIn this Driftwood issue, I will be covering exercises utilizing your back, traps, abs, hamstrings, forearms, and biceps, as these are the muscle groups being used in a pulling motion of weights. Pull workouts allow you to hit each body part twice as you’re combining main muscle groups together. So, if you think about it, you’re killing two birds with one stone!

One specific pull workout that I personally enjoy doing is the deadlift. But like I’ve mentioned before in previous issues, your technique needs be correct, and deadlifts may take a little bit of getting used to. But in the end, you’ll be doing your body a favor by working out your core, lower back, and forearms.

How to Properly Execute a Deadlift Workout:

  1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, with the barbell on the floor in front of you. Start out with the bar first to get a feel for it. Then once you’re warmed up, gradually add smaller weights until you feel challenged. Bend at the knees and hips, sliding your hands down your thighs, and take hold of the bar with an overhand grip. Tense your abdominal muscles.
  2. Keeping your head up and back straight, tighten your shoulder blades (imagine trying to snap the bar). Straighten your legs slightly and lift the bar.
  3. Now send your hips back, and lift, keeping the bar close to your legs. Engage your glutes at the top of the move but don’t thrust so far that your back overextends.
  4. Lower the bar slowly back down to the original position.

Here is a YouTube video for better visualization!

Other Pull Workout Alternatives:

  • Pull-Ups
  • Dips
  • Shoulder Press
  • Incline Dumbbell Press
—Bruce Kong, Health & Fitness Editor

Driftwood #17: Buy Local

April 15, 2021

Local Clothing Boutiques

Vintage Lair storefrontMiss going out on the town with your friends? Feel like you need to shop or browse the summer collection of clothes dropping soon? Hit both marks in one move by checking out a few clothing boutiques littering the downtown streets of Green Bay or Marinette!

Doing so is safer now that three variations of the COVID-19 vaccine are currently circulating to the public, and if you are 16-years-of-age or older, you are now eligible for your first or second dose. With more and more people gaining access to the vaccine, businesses are slowly lifting restrictions to transition into the summer hours.

Local Clothing Stores in Green Bay: 

  • ZuLou (920) 857-1251: A fashion-forward boutique filled with very trendy articles of clothing, this place is sure to make you want to reach for your wallet! This store is on the pricier side because of the brands and pieces offered, but their variety is worth it. Not only do they have clothing, but on the right side of their store they have a whole section dedicated to rugs, carpets, tapestries, furniture, and other fun decor. Keep up to date with their new arrivals and deals by checking out their Facebook page (linked above). Home decor / clothing marketed to women.
  • Besselli LLC (920) 844-0202: Similar to ZuLou in their clothing style and price range, Besselli is located just across the street and three buildings down from ZuLou. They have currently popular and trendy pieces of clothing, and also offer shoes, swimsuits, and jackets, as well as standard articles of clothing such as shirts, pants, dresses, and skirts. If you’re looking for something to freshen up your wardrobe, pop into Besselli LLC and see what they have to offer! Their website is currently under construction, so check their Facebook for any updates. Clothing marketed to women.
  • The Vintage Lair (920) 215-0009: Walk through the door of The Vintage Lair (pictured above), and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back a few decades into an eclectic thrift store! This fun boutique offers clothes, toys, housewares, and decor all from different eras. They typically have vintage clothing from the ’60s and ’70s, so pop in and put together an outfit that will be sure to give you a blast from the past! Check out their website and social media for new displays. An assortment of cooky and antique knickknacks, and clothing marketed to men, women, and children.

Local Clothing Stores in Marinette:

  • Simply Charming Boutique (715) 732-9300: It doesn’t matter whether you’re two or ninety, this store will have something for you. I enjoy scrolling through their Facebook page and seeing the cute outfits they release every couple of days. They also have some wonderful home decor items and furniture to check out if you’re not in the mood for clothes shopping. Clothing marketed to women. 
  • Thrifty Treasures (715) 582-0500: I asked my Marinette friend again about local shops, and she said this thrift store is one of her favorite places to get clothes in the area. Check out this thrift store next door in Peshtigo if you’re looking to renew your wardrobe without breaking the bank. It doesn’t matter your age or style; you’re bound to find something here. Clothing marketed to men, women, and children.
  • Goose and Gander Finery (715) 732-0825: This sweet little shop, tucked into one of the downtown Marinette brownstones, offers trendy, colorful clothing, including plus sizes, as well as children’s clothing, jewelry, candles, and other gifts. You can even shop online and pick up your purchases curbside, if you wish. Clothing marketed to women.
  • Wind Rose North Ltd. Outfitters (906) 424-0206: Shop the Wind Rose for name-brand, Cabela’s-style outdoor clothing and gear, hiking boots, and athletic shoes marketed to all genders and ages. The Wind Rose also offers fishing and water sports gear, from rods and reels to kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Clothing marketed to men, women, and children. 
—Kira Doman, Business Editor, and Angel Wolske

Driftwood #17: Student Spotlight

April 15, 2021

Mara Allen on Scoring Her First Freelance Writing Gig

Mara AllenThis past school year, Marinette campus student and Communication major Mara Allen started working as a regular freelance writer for the WI Sports Heroics blogWith more than 60,000 subscribers and an actual budget for paying freelancers, the blog is an impressive get for a writer new to the professional scene. The Driftwood asked Mara to tell us all about her new job, and her answers are sure to inspire other budding freelancers and Wisconsin sports fanatics. 

The Driftwood: Tell us about the WI Sports Heroics blog. How many people read it, where do its readers mainly come from, and what kinds of articles do they publish?

Mara Allen: WI Sports Heroics is a relatively new blog. It was created in January of 2020 and has been growing tremendously ever since. Thousands of people read our articles each day, and our readers come from a variety of different places—mostly from social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. We publish anything Wisconsin sports-related: the Packers, Bucks, Badgers, and Brewers are what the majority of our articles focus on, but we also cover Marquette University teams, outdoor sports, fantasy sports, etc.

The Driftwood: What kinds of pieces have you published with them? And do they pay you, if you don’t mind my asking?

Mara Allen: When I was hired, I started out writing about the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team. As I’ve written more articles, I’ve been allowed to branch out and write about other Badger teams. Just this week, I was promoted and given permission to write about the Packers, too! I publish a variety of different pieces, ranging from breaking news stories to human interest pieces. I do get paid; pay is based on views, so it’s really important for us writers to share and promote our work!

The Driftwood: What is your role at the blog? Do you have a title? 

Mara Allen: I’m a “contributor” for the blog. I have the ability to decide how many pieces I want to write and publish, as long as I hit the two-article minimum per month. I like this flexibility, especially as a busy college student who already writes a lot.

The Driftwood: I think a lot of college students might think that freelancing, especially paid, is out of their reach, but you’re doing it! How did you approach the blog about writing for them?

Mara Allen: I reached out to the blog on Twitter once I saw that they were looking to add more writers to their team because they were growing so fast. I talked with the site’s founders and eventually went through the hiring process!

The Driftwood: What do you think appealed to them about you? 

Mara Allen: I believe that several factors about me appealed to them. I think that they saw that I was a relatively strong writer (editors wouldn’t have to go back and change many things), I was passionate about the material, and I was driven and motivated to produce good work (I wouldn’t have to be told that I wasn’t writing enough or writing flat pieces just to put something out). I believe they said yes to me for all these reasons; now that I’ve been writing for a while and have gotten to know a lot of the other writers, I think they realized I would fit in well and be a strong asset to the team!

The Driftwood: Do you have any other advice for college students who want to break into a freelance market like WI Sports Heroics?

Mara Allen: Go for it! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. The worst someone can say is no, so try any opportunity you have. Be yourself, be honest, and be confident throughout the interview/hiring process, because if you truly think a position/certain blog is the perfect fit for you, your passion will shine through!

The Driftwood: Which article that you’ve written are you most proud of, and why? Can we get a link?

Mara Allen: I’m really proud of all of my articles; I especially like when players like and retweet them on Twitter because it’s cool to get validation that I’m doing a good job! However, if I had to pick one, I’d choose a pretty recent piece. “Thank You, Badger Seniors” was a very extensive article at the end of the season thanking the Badger seniors on the basketball team for their hard work and dedication. I was especially proud of that one because it involved a lot of research and ended up being a heartfelt tribute, and both aspects made it fun to write. It did really well, and it was fun to see people enjoying and appreciating my hard work!

The Driftwood: Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know? 

Mara Allen: Even though I was a little nervous at first (both to reach out to the blog and to start putting my pieces out), it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I’ve met awesome people, gotten a ton of valuable experience, and have had a lot of fun! If you’re interested in writing, go for it! It might turn out to be one of the best experiences of your life, too!

Editor’s note: Mara’s sister and Driftwood editor Mallory Allen recently started writing for the blog as well, so be sure to look for both of their bylines.

Driftwood #16: Table of Contents

The Driftwood #16, April 5, 2021

News, Events, and Happenings on the Marinette Campus

Buccaneer Logo

The Driftwood is our student-centered e-newsletter for the Marinette campus. We’ll bring you tips for navigating life as a masked-and-distanced or online student, as well as suggestions for entertaining yourself while you’re social distancing.

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

Books Editor: Olivia Meyer
Cooking and Movies Editor: Mallory Allen
Haunted WI Editor: Aleida Toebe
Health & Fitness Editor: Bruce Kong
Music and Puzzles Editor: Sydney Sebert
News Editor: Kira Doman
School Tips, Gaming, and Anime Editor: Jasmine Hanson
Self-Care Editor: Angel Wolske

Interested in being on the Driftwood staff? Enroll in ENG 224: Practicum in Literary Publishing for the spring 2022 term.

Questions or News Items? Contact The Driftwoods advisor, Tracy Fernandez Rysavy.

Driftwood #16: Campus News

April 5, 2021

Take Our Diversity Survey; Win Prizes!

typewriter with diversity on the paperYour faculty and staff at UWGB are working hard to make all four campuses more diverse and supportive environments, and we could use your help. Do your part, and you could win a free gift card!

UWGB students have already received an email invitation to participate in the Diverse Learning Environments (DLE) Survey. The purpose of this survey is to assess our campuses when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion in and out of the classroom. We’re asking students to please take this survey by Tuesday, April 20th.

Each student received their own individual link, so please search your email for yours, sent on February 28th from heri@vainc.net. The survey is fully anonymous, and is administered by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA.

Get prizes! In addition to helping to better our campuses, all students who complete the Campus Climate survey are eligible to win a $20 Amazon e-card via two random drawings. We have a total of 150 cards to give away!

If you have any questions, you may contact Dr. Stacie Christian, UWGB Director of Inclusive Excellence and the Pride Center.

“What Were You Wearing” Exhibit Now Open

To honor the fact that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the UWGB Healthy Choices Task Force is hosting a “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit on the Marinette campus in room M-109, April 5-29, 2021. The exhibit is open 8:00 a.m. – 4:40 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The “What Were You Wearing” exhibit provides a tangible response to one of our culture’s most pervasive myths, namely, that if a person was sexually assaulted, they must have been wearing revealing clothing to “ask for” the attack. Exhibit outfits have been recreated from the stories of student-survivors.

If you need help or healing for sexual assault, please visit one of the following resources:

Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity

Scouting for Food logoLocal Boy Scout troops are currently conducting a “Scouting for Food” food drive, and they could use your help. The Scouts are seeking volunteers of all ages to assist with picking up and sorting non-perishable food donations from Marinette, Oconto, and Crandon.

All volunteers will meet on Saturday, April 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

Your volunteer hours help the Boy Scouts support local food pantries, run by the nonprofit Newcap. Inc. (formerly the Northeast Wisconsin Community Action Program).

Please contact Tammy at (920) 373-6872 if you’d like to volunteer.

Driftwood #16: Movie Recommendations

April 5, 2021

Childhood Classics

A look back at movies we loved as kids, which still hold up for a nostalgia-watch today.  

Cinderella Story posterA Cinderella Story: After Samantha Montgomery’s adoring father dies, her greedy stepmother and vain stepsisters do their best to make her life miserable, forcing her to do lowly jobs at the family diner and wait on them hand and foot. The California teen finds comfort in her dreams of attending college at Princeton and by communicating with her secret online pen-pal. Although Sam is stunned when “Nomad” turns out to be Austin Ames—her school’s handsome, charismatic, popular quarterback—the pair shares an intimate waltz at the Halloween dance before Sam rushes away without telling him her name, accidentally leaving behind her cell phone as the only clue. Can Austin find the beautiful, mysterious, enchanting girl he calls “Cinderella”? Or, as Sam fears, will his attraction towards her fade once he learns her true identity? There are five modern-day retellings in the A Cinderella Story series; this one is the first, and in my opinion, the best! Featuring Gen-Z heartthrobs Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray, this 2004 film is one of those classic rom-coms that never loses its charm, regardless of how many times I watch it. With its swoon-worthy romantic drama and happy fairy-tale ending, A Cinderella Story offers viewers the same type of magic found in Disney’s original Cinderella. No matter how old I get, this movie will always be one of my favorite childhood throwbacks to rewatch over and over again! Available free on YouTube Movies.

—Mallory Allen, Movies Editor
Mr Nobody posterMr. Nobody: Mr. Nobody is a film from 2009 by director Jaco Van Dormael, telling the life’s story of an old man through his aging mind. This film is quite interesting, as it weaves and bobs between three different timelines that may or may not be real at all. It is quite a trip to watch, but this was the first time as a young adult I felt challenged by a film as it spins its story and changes it just as soon as you think you understand. It is not only a beautifully shot film, but one that ever since childhood I find myself going back to over and over again. Check it out on Amazon Prime or anywhere else movies are able to stream.
—Sydney Sebert