The Quill

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

Summer Edition

Interview Podcasts

There are some interesting people out there, so here are podcasts that interview those people and tell their stories. 

The Thoughtful Travel Podcast

If you have ever wanted to travel but either couldn’t afford it or wanted to learn more information about traveling, then this is the podcast for you! The Thoughtful Travel Podcast is a show hosted by Amanda Kendle, who is a blogger and social media consultant. In this podcast, Amanda interviews different travel lovers who discuss all the different aspects that come with traveling, from learning a new language to navigating politics in different countries. Each episode is fascinating as you hear people’s traveling stories as a lot of them are different from the average tourist story. Although the episodes are short, averaging 30 minutes each, they are extremely informative. So far, my favorite episode is “Languages and Accents,” episode 261. In this one, Amanda interviews people about learning new languages and developing different accents. One woman had traveled to quite a few places since she was born, and I was absolutely baffled by the many places she had been to since a young age. My only complaint is that sometimes the sound quality from the interviewees is poor, making it difficult to understand them, but that doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of the podcast as I am still engaged and learning about the travel experience.

—Emma Krueger, Podcast Editor

Summer Edition

Beach Movies 

If you’re too exhausted after finals to go outside, soak up the sun vicariously with the Teen Beach Movie duology, both available on Disney+ and to rent on other streaming sites.

Teen Beach Movie

Teen Beach Movie was released in 2013 as a Disney Chanel Original and is currently not rated, though I feel a PG rating would have been fine. This film follows a young surfer, McKenzie, a.k.a. Mack, who gets lost at sea while out surfing during a huge storm and washes up in a strange new place. This place is filled with groovy people, rad retro ’60’s style, and one more thing … lots and lots of singing. In fact, there’s even a whole song dedicated to Mack being sick of singing titled “I Can’t Stop Singing.” After being transported to a whole new world while she’s out in a storm surfing, Mack has to try to figure out a way home once she realizes she’s stranded inside an actual movie, Wet Side Story (not a typo), all while being faced with a new love interest, Brady. This movie is based on and follows the plot of a classic film, West Side Story, with rival gangs (Surfers vs. Bikers), star-crossed lovers, and of course an extreme amount of singing. Teen Beach Movie is a fun, reinvented twist for the generation it was designed for. I would say it did it’s job of being an entertaining yet somehow almost brand-new story in its own way. The movie was an all-around success and became a hit amongst the kids. I give this film 7/10 stars simply because the singing gets to be a bit much.

—Jasmine Puls, Movies Editor

Teen Beach Movie 2

Teen Beach Movie 2, directed by Jeffery Hornaday and distributed by Disney, is the sequel to the film Teen Beach Movie. In Teen Beach Movie 2, the story continues with our main characters Mac and Brady, who are enjoying the rest of their summer, but something has been bothering them and that is: what will their relationship look like once school has started? Since the two of them started dating each other that summer, they don’t know how school will affect them. They promise to stay a team and navigate school together. Yet things don’t go as planned as they start drifting apart the minute they return back to their old routine. Yet there’s no time to focus on that anymore because low and behold, Lela and Tanner are at their school! Lela and Tanner are the main characters from Brady’s favorite movie Wet Side Story, into which Mac and Brady had been magically transported in the first Teen Beach Movie. The two had followed Mac and Brady back to the real world. It is now up to Brady and Mac to help Tanner and Lela return back to their movie before it disappears because without our leads, there is no movie! Will they make it in time, and will Mac and Brady’s relationship ever be the same? Personally, I think this movie is cute and very enjoyable. Although it is not as good as the first movie, it is still one of those films that you can kick back, relax, and enjoy. Even though the film takes place during the school year, you still get that sun-loving feeling from it, making it all the more enjoyable.

—Emma Krueger

Summer Edition

Playlists for Summer 

Music section editor Andrew Wiegman and contributor Kayu Brooks leave you with their favorite summertime playlists. 

I’ve always been a fan of making playlists. When I press “create playlist” on Spotify, it creates “New Playlist #226”. Now, most of them are garbage, but some of them actually turned out. I started making this one in particular on my break while working one morning over the weekend. The weather was just getting nice out, and the songs “Stay With Me” and “El Muchacho De Los Ojos Tristes” (the two most popular tracks) rattled around my brain. I spent the entire 30-minute break scouring for even remotely close songs, and “Abroad” was the result. Almost two years later, it’s still my magnum opus in terms of playlists. I tried to make it as wide-reaching as possible, but there’s always room for more. Currently represented are Italy, Japan, Thailand, Brazil, France, and actual North Korean propaganda (it’s called “Don’t Ask My Name,” and wow does it go hard for actual North Korean propaganda), to name a few. It all comes together for a mix perfect for sipping coffee on the porch with a newspaper in hand, for drives to somewhere beautiful with the windows rolled down, or for the sweet moments in between. Pack your bags. Come get carried away. 

BONUS OFFER: Act soon and get the sister playlist, “Abroad Rejects,” for free! Two playlists for the price of one! Some songs are instrumental, some are in English, and there are even male vocalists. The songs that are most like the original playlist are at the top, but otherwise, there is no rhyme or reason to the order.

The Chromatics were an electronic, synth-pop band from Portland, Oregon that influenced many of the indie, alternative, and dream-pop genres from the early 2000s to their disbandment in 2021. “This is Chromatics” contains all of their greatest hits, including several from Night Drive. This 2007 release was the band’s third studio album and includes 15 songs and over an hour of distinct, wavy music with female vocalist, Ruth Radelet. As Night Drive is one of their longer works, it balances their gloomy songs with light energy to create a slow-burning balance throughout the album. The slow songs also provide an interlude between the moods within Night Drive. The band has had plenty of success and they have a reputation for melancholy. Some of their songs have been featured on various television shows, including Bates Motel, Riverdale, and the Twin Peaks revival series. My favorite tracks are “Circled Sun” and the cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up that Hill,” because the glittery synthesizers used in these songs contributes to the Chromatics’ timeless music. 

Summer Edition

Outdoors Edition

It’s summer, folks. Take advantage of the sunny weather and go soak it in with a classic indoor game … outdoors. (And one that you’ll want to keep firmly outdoors.)

Giant Sorry! (4 players)

The best part of the classic “Sorry!” series is the game mechanics of ruthlessly offing your friends. Why not just lean into the theme more and make it more dramatic by having giant plastic pieces? “Giant Sorry!” offers all that and more—just imagine it: “Sorry Mom, looks like I’m sending you back home.” *Punts the pawn across the lawn*

It’s structured the exact same way as the usual “Sorry!” but with bigger pieces. You receive a 64”x’64” vinyl mat of the board, foot-tall pawns, and a twister-esque spinner that you pass around for each turn. It’s also just easy to learn—intended for ages 6+—so you can make any party a hit by whipping out the giant edition.

The average price on online stores is around $20.00, usually with free returns.

Lawn Darts (2-4 players)

Lawn Darts, a.k.a. Jarts (Not jean darts, silly. The “J” stands for “javelin darts” since you throw ’em like one.) is a fun yet very dangerous (and I think even illegal in some places) game meant to be played by two players. The premise of the game is to throw huge 12-inch metal-tipped darts at the ground in a plastic ring in an attempt to win the most points. This game reportedly caused many injuries and accidents, but is still known as a fun outdoor game. There are safety bans on the original game in Canada and parts of the US, so if you get the chance to play with these bad boys someday, tell grandma to stand back, and make sure not to impale your little brother in front of everyone at the family cookout. The official report is here so you can’t say we didn’t give you a fair warning.

If your interest is piqued somehow, I certainly recommend giving it a go nonetheless, though I have not and probably won’t because I don’t want to risk losing my eye. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you.) Some companies, like Nerf, have come out with safer designs, luckily, that are far more enjoyable. Give the Nerf brand knockoff a try here for $29.75, a pretty penny to pay for some foam darts if you ask me.

—Jasmine Puls