The Quill

April 1, 2025

Fantasy Fight Club: Prof. Belanger vs. Prof. Rysavy

Welcome back to a special edition of Fictional Fight Club! Instead of fictional characters, we are stepping into reality with two English professors duking it out. I have caught wind that Dr. Paul Belanger and Professor Tracy Fernandez Rysavy have been beefing for millions of years, so I’ve decided to put them in the ring to battle it out.

For some introductions, Dr. Paul Belanger teaches a variety of professional writing classes, as well as Intro to Creative Writing. Outside the classroom, he is the faculty advisor for UWGB’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English Honors Society.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, we have Professor Tracy Fernandez Rysavy. She teaches  multiethnic literature, creative writing, and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. But that’s not all, because she also is the head of the Northern Lights Literary & Arts Journal, as well as the bi-weekly English newsletter The Quill. To top it off, she is the faculty advisor for the up-and-coming K-Pop Club.

Both sides have a lot on the line, but they are ready to fight. They clash in the ring— punches and kicks galore. The students witnessing the fight from the third floor of the library called it a close battle. Some would say it’s a bloodbath. I managed to get to each fighter’s corners during a timeout to ask their honest opinions about each other.

I got to Prof. Rysavy first, and she ripped into Dr. Belanger, saying: “Professor Belanger is a very gifted educator with a huge personality! He’s a delight, and I’m very glad to work with him.”

Oh, my goodness gracious! How does someone say something like that? He has a family, for Pete’s sake. To think that Prof. Rysavy would stoop that low.

I raced to the other side to get Dr. Belanger’s rebuttal, and it did not disappoint. When talking about Prof. Rysavy, he says: “Dr. Rysavy is as genuine as a handwritten letter and as constant as a well-loved book. Though her passion speaks in midnight poetry, her patience has been honed through deep revision — not only of the stories we write, but of the world itself. Writing makes things real, and literature changes us. Rain or shine, Rysavy ensures we get the message.”

I can’t even fathom how he could even say that about her. I get that they don’t like each other, but I wouldn’t even say that to my worst enemy.

Both comments were received, and they continued their fight for many days. In the end, both of them collapsed from sheer exhaustion, so I guess this battle is a tie. Hopefully, they can leave this hatred behind and work together to help liven up the Writing and English Department of UWGB.

—Julia Hahn

April 1, 2025

The Best Dungeons & Dragons Character Build

Are you interested in coming to the table and being the strongest player? Do you want to smite your enemies to smithereens, roll high in every single stat, and end combat in one turn? Well, have I got the build for you! This amazing character build will be at level 1, since we all know that level 1 is the best and highest level. If you follow these simple steps, you’ll have the most amazing, most powerful D&D character ever!

First, you’ll want to pick your class; there are a lot of great classes in D&D, but in this case, we’ll want the tankiest class possible for the purposes of our build. We’ll pick the class with the best health ever: wizard! As a wizard, you’ll take hits like they’re nothing!

Now that you’re a wizard, you’ll want to pick some special things up. You might be asked to pick some skill proficiencies for being a wizard; the options are things like arcana, investigation, etc. To be honest, none of those are good enough. Just skip that part and say that you have no proficiencies; they do more harm than good anyways. The exciting part is picking out your spells! Spells are an integral part of wizard gameplay, so follow this list for the best spells to pick!

Cantrips:

• • • True Strike: This amazing cantrip is the best cantrip in the entire game; you HAVE to take this cantrip!
    • Prestidigitation: This cantrip can literally do anything you want. Take this spell and tell your DM that you want to make the entire enemy camp explode in flames; it will work 10/10 guarantee!
    • Friends: Wow, this cantrip is amazing. A whole minute of advantage of charisma checks is unbelievable. Sure, the person you cast the spell on will get angry after that one minute, and it’s prone to frequent failure, but who cares! That ENTIRE minute is so valuable!

Spells:

• • • Skywrite: This spell allows you to write up to 10 words in the sky! The best part of this spell is that if there is even a small gust of wind in the air, the writing goes away!
    • Gift of Alacrity: Make sure to always use this spell AFTER initiative rolls.
    • Distort Value: Use this spell to make your items always appear less valuable! Say goodbye to fashion!
    • Tenser’s Floating Disk: Use this spell so that your teammates don’t have to walk to places! Unfortunately, the disk only moves if you move, so you’ll have to do all the walking while your friends get to sit or stand on the disk for free transportation.

With all these spells, I’m sure you’ll see how amazing it is to be a wizard; you’ll surely put fear in the hearts of all enemies! Or not! This character build is a complete joke; don’t follow any of my terrible advice! April Fools!

April 1, 2025

DoodleBob and The Hash-Slinging Slasher

Cartoon characters are often portrayed as happy, bubbly, outgoing figures. However, imagine if that portrayal was totally flipped, and they were turned into sadistic killers. The characters we’ll be talking about are “DoodleBob” and the “Hash-Slinging Slasher” from SpongeBob SquarePants. This week, we’ll explore what it’d be like for them to transform into terrifying killers.

“DoodleBob” is already made out to be an antagonist who terrorizes SpongeBob with a magic pencil. However, imagine if he came back to Bikini Bottom as a sadistic killer via a “magic” Etch-A-Sketch found and used by Patrick in an attempt to bring SpongeBob back after a heated argument seemingly ends their friendship. Once back in the world of Bikini Bottom, DoodleBob quickly resorts to his old ways and makes it his life’s mission to get revenge on SpongeBob and Patrick for defeating him the first time. To enact his plan effectively, DoodleBob would begin stalking the pair, then using the original magic pencil, he’d draw figures similar to himself and instruct them to kidnap SpongeBob and Patrick and bring them back to a blank, white room designed by DoodleBob. Once that was complete, DoodleBob would greet them over an intercom system and inform them of their predicament, saying how this is revenge for defeating him. Following this, the room would transform into a series of sadistic games based on their greatest fears that the two would need to navigate on their own. However, with each completed level, the games would become more intense and last until both SpongeBob and Patrick were dead.

The “Hash-Slinging Slasher” is another character who appears as an antagonist in SpongeBob SquarePants. Picture a scenario where he comes back to the Krusty Krab as a killer hell-bent on revenge against everyone there for denying him a job. To carry out his plan effectively, the “Hash-Slinging Slasher” would show up to the restaurant around midnight on his “ghostly” bus. He’d then burst through the doors before going on a stabbing spree with a sharpened version of his spatula, effectively killing all employees and customers inside. Following these murders, the “Hash-Slinging Slasher” would calmly exit the restaurant and call for his “ghostly” bus before fleeing the scene and leaving a bloodied Krusty Krab restaurant in his wake.

April 1, 2025

Spring Caring

Habitat loss is the biggest factor behind species extinction. Here are a few easy actions you can take this spring and summer to help mitigate this. Most of the actions on this list should be fun for you, too:

• Visit a park or nature preserve: Parks and nature preserves are one of the most effective, long-term ways of maintaining large swathes of habitat. We can support them by visiting and appreciating them. This can also be a great way to support yourself. Taking a walk in nature can be calming — it certainly helps me shut off the voices of anxiety in my head. Of course, this is something to do when there isn’t a constant spitting of frozen substances out of the sky like what’s happening while I’m writing this.
• Plant native flowers for pollinators: If you have a place to make a garden, consider filling it with native plants that attract pollinators. Things like monarda, wild geranium,  columbine, and milkweed are all spring flowers that can help support pollinators. Milkweed is extremely important for monarch butterflies because it is the only food source for monarch caterpillars. If you have space for this, plant some of these and let them go a bit wild.
• Pick up litter: This may be less fun than the other items on this list, but it’s probably the easiest. If you’re outside and you see a piece of litter, pick it up. Habitat degradation is part of habitat loss. For instance, a normal plastic bottle for water or soda takes around 450  years to decompose. So, a plastic bottle that isn’t disposed of properly has centuries to harm habitats by leaching chemicals, being ingested by animals, and damaging plants. So picking up litter is important and an easy accompaniment to spring walks.
• Buy sustainably sourced chocolate: This can literally be any product. I chose chocolate because even though we’ve just finished spring break, we’re coming to the end of the semester, and there are going to be some stressful moments. Chocolate is a comfort food for me. Unfortunately, some cocoa farms destroy rainforests to create farmland. Buying from companies that don’t do this is a simple way to help protect rainforest habitats. Look for Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) logos on the packaging. These all indicate that the products they appear on are more sustainably sourced than other similar products without these logos. Again, this isn’t just chocolate, if that’s not your comfort go–to. Chocolate can be a good starting point if you want to think about buying food that has less of an impact on the environment.

Helping to protect the environment doesn’t always have to be hard. Sometimes it can even be fun.

March 17, 2025

Northern Lights Deadline Extended to March 23!

Missed the chance to get into this year’s Northern Lights? We’ve extended our deadline!

The Northern Lights Literary & Arts Journal is currently seeking submissions for its Spring 2025 edition, with an extended deadline of March 23. This annual, student-run publication invites creative work from students, faculty, staff, and alumni across all UW-Green Bay campuses (Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan).

Submissions are encouraged in various categories, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art, photography, and interactive digital stories. Writers can submit up to three pieces in categories such as short stories, essays, and interactive digital fiction, while they can submit up to five pieces in categories like poetry, flash fiction, and artwork/photography. Short stories and essays are limited to a maximum of 3,000 words, poetry submissions should not exceed 50 lines, and flash fiction should fall between 100-500 words. Art and photography submissions must be high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) and at least 4 to 5 inches in width, with all visual work submitted electronically.

Submit by Sunday, March 23 for a chance for your work to be featured in this year’s journal!

—Ginger Knauer, Co-Editor-in-Chief

March 17, 2025

Doing is an Act of Teaching:
Prof. Nesvet’s New Book on James Malcolm Rymer

In July of 2024, Professor Rebecca Nesvet published James Malcolm Rymer, Penny Fiction, and the Family, which explores how Rymer’s stories reflected and shaped ideas about what family life meant during the Victorian period. James Malcolm Rymer authored short stories that produced characters such as Sweeney Todd and Varney the Vampyre. Although referred to as “penny bloods” and “dreadfuls” due to their graphic nature, these stories, Dr. Nesvet’s text argues, were written to reflect the working class of Britain and to advocate for patriarchal family values in response to the changes in British society. Dr. Nesvet examines these works through multiple lenses, revealing the connection between Victorian penny fiction’s sensational themes and its underlying focus on family values.

This book is available for purchase through Routledge, Amazon. and Barnes & Noble.  UWGB students can read an e-copy for free through our library.

—Tiffany Jablonowski, Co-Editor-in-Chief

March 17, 2025

Campus Services for AWE Majors and Minors

We are entering a challenging time in the semester for many students. You may have gotten a little behind, and midterms are fast approaching. Consider visiting the Wellness Center and utilizing the tutoring programs available. Asking for help may not be easy, but struggling alone isn’t either.

The UWGB Wellness Center caters to mind and body well-being. Mental-health resources, including counseling, are available to enrolled students on all campuses. Biofeedback (pictured above) is another resource available that teaches you techniques to self-regulate your body’s natural response to distress. This not only helps you deal with the expected issues you encounter but also assists in teaching coping skills to handle stressful situations as they arise.

If you have found yourself a little behind, reach out to peer tutors. You can set up an in-person or Zoom appointment through the Navigate app to meet with a tutor one on one. These tutors are students who understand what you are going through and are there to help.

Another option is to use the Brainfuse Online Tutoring offered through Canvas. These professionals are available 24/7 to assist you with getting caught up and teaching you academic skills to excel. Click on “Brainfuse Online Tutoring” in the Canvas menu for any of your classes.

All of these programs are there to promote student success. Not every lesson is learned in a classroom, and the UWGB community is there to help.

March 17, 2025

Local Destinations for Spring Break and Beyond

With spring break coming up March 17th through the 24th, you may have been thinking of how to spend your free time off from school. Want to do something fun but don’t want to travel far? Here are a few places at home in Green Bay you can check out for an affordable price!

Green Bay Botanical Gardens

The Green Bay Botanical Gardens is holding events this spring, focusing on well-being (think yoga and outdoor classes) and group tours. Check out the website for more information on hours, admission prices, and dates for upcoming events. [Editor’s note: The image above is from the Washed Ashore exhibit, coming to the Gardens from May 2 – Sept. 2. Washed Ashore features sculptures made from plastic debris pulled from the ocean, to draw attention to the need to keep our waterways clean.]

NEW Zoo and Adventure Park

If you have a love for animals, then a visit to the zoo would be perfect for you! There are availabilities on certain days of the week for different experiences, such as feeding giraffes, penguins, and otters! The NEW Zoo is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m., which gives flexibility for those with busy schedules to take some time off and have fun. Check out the website for more information on admission prices, and dates for upcoming events.

Titletown

If you are interested in outdoor fun, Titletown offers winter recreational activities such as ice skating at Hy-Vee Plaza and tubing at Ariens Hill. Check out the website for more information on hours and admission prices

March 17, 2025

March Madness and Local Events

I laugh a little every time I hear about March Madness. Living most of my life in the Caribbean, when I first heard of March Madness, I immediately thought, “Oh, cabin fever.” That was my sense, with winter being dreary, cold, and seldom sunny. To my surprise, it’s all about basketball! So why not go to a game? This year’s NCAA tournament provides a perfect excuse to socialize and leave the house.

NCAA Men’s Division I Tournament Rounds in Milwaukee:
March 16^th marked Selection Sunday for both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball divisions. The first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Division I games will be held at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum on March 21 – 23. Check out the NCAA schedules for the women’s and men’s divisions, as teams gear up for an epic 2025 showdown!

March Madness is so much bigger than just basketball. March is full of interesting events and observances. Here are some Wisconsin highlights:

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

As the winter weather clears, the wildlife sanctuary is a good place to trek and explore some of nature’s beauty. You can also participate in and discover wildlife rehabilitation programs and much more. Visit their website for more information on Nature Walks, Sanctuary Storytimes, Wolf Feeding, and other events throughout the year.

Heritage Hill State Historical Park

The State Historical Park Heritage Hill offers much to see, learn, and experience, as well as some events and workshops. Check their website for upcoming dates, information, and fees.

The Mulva Cultural Center

If you’ve driven past the enormous glass and steel building in downtown DePere, now might be the time to go inside. The Mulva Cultural Center features arts and culture exhibits from all around the world, as well as classic films and documentary movies shown on one of only three Samsung Onyx screens in the country!

Now through April 27, the Center is hosting Unofficial Galaxies, a special exhibit of props, costumes, vehicles, and more from “one of the largest Star Wars fan collections in the world.” There’s still time to catch The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi on the Onyx screen on March 21-22 and March 28-29, respectively.

National Railroad Museum

With so many exhibits, events, and educational programs at the Railroad Museum, there is never a dull ride. An upcoming event is Mystery Express, an immersive show on March 22-23, 2025. Visit their website for more information and fees.

Neville Public Museum

General admittance is free for Brown County residents with proof of residency from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. Below are some of the events the Neville has going on in March. Check the website for times, charges, and other details.

• Darwin & Dinosaurs Special Exhibit (March 8 – August 31): Darwin & Dinosaurs is a story-based, interactive exhibit that “sets the stage before Darwin’s famous voyage, follows him around the world as he finds clues indicating life evolves, and concludes with modern discoveries that have proved him right.”
• NPM Geology Club meeting (March 18): Anyone can join this club, which communally studies rocks, minerals, and other areas of earth science, and meets on the third Tuesday of every month but December.
• Dinner Program: Mystical Ireland with Julianne Stanz (March 20): The Neville regularly pairs dinner and an informative program. This month, listen to Irish storyteller Julianne Stanz as she takes you on a journey where  “a great lake of spiritual ancient Celtic wisdom awaits.”
• Dino Drop-in (March 24 – 28^th): Sure, there will probably be a lot of kids there, but anyone can come to Dino Drop-In hours to feel fossil replicas and learn about dinosaurs from museum staff.