My name is Tyler Bell, and I’m an Ohio University graduate student going for my master’s in journalism.  I’ve created this blog in order to highlight some of the interesting places, people, issues and natural features in my hometown of Athens, Ohio.  It will also serve as a sort of spiritual continuation of a literary magazine I produced earlier this year, Appalachia Anew.

Comments are welcomed and encouraged here!  If you have any suggestions for topics I should write about, or sites I should photograph, please don’t hesitate to post them in the comments section below each article.  I will be checking back frequently for new ideas on how to share the many wonders that Athens County has to offer.

I hope you all enjoy reading and interacting with the blog as much as I enjoyed making it.  Have fun!

-Tyler

The first thing that I want to explore with this blog is the season’s changes going on around us at this very moment.  Athens County is a wonderful area that morphs into a truly beautiful landscape in the Fall.  The Sun begins setting earlier, the wind begins blowing stronger, and the leaves begin changing colors.  The above slideshow illustrates some of my photography attempting to capture this magic, however, I’d like to explore what’s behind all of the changes that are going on around us.

The fall, or Autumn, has not always been called by those names.  Originally, this time of year was referred to as “harvest” because it is the time of year when farmers would harvest their crops.  With the development of towns and cities, less and less people were becoming farmers, and so the name changed.

All things living are affected by the coming of fall and winter.  Animals begin migrating or stocking up for winter.  The same is true with the trees and plant life.  After storing up food and energy gathered with their leaves over the summer, they can sense the days getting shorter and instinctually their leaves stop making chlorophyll (the stuff that gives them that green color).  After the chlorophyll drains from the leaves, they are left with their base colors, the amazing reds and oranges that we associate with the fall.  Wow!

The seasons themselves are actually caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis.  At different times of the year, the Earth is in different stages of its orbit around the Sun.  Parts of the Earth are actually being hit by the Sun’s rays more directly, which causes winters and summers in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Understanding these concepts can help us to appreciate the delicate balance of life on this planet.  The leaves, the Sun, and the seasons themselves all come together in harmony to create the beauty of this world.  Lets all try to appreciate the Fall just a little bit more this season, wudya say?  :)

-Tyler

The Red Cross Sign

Just like anywhere else, the holiday season brings about many hardships and pressures on families that are struggling to get by.  However, Athens has several fundraising and support programs in place to help those in need.  In this post, I’d like to briefly go over some of the major organizations heading this effort in Athens, as well as share an email interview I did with Jane Patton, the Health and Safety Director of Athens County’s Red Cross Chapter.

In my E-interview with Jane Patton, I asked her questions about what the Red Cross does to prepare for the holiday season and how economy will affect people in Athens.  She also told me about what the Red Cross does on a year-round basis.  Here are her answers:

1.  The Red Cross has four main areas of interest.  We have Blood Services to collect lifesaving blood donations.  We have Military Services for emergency situations.  We have Health and Safety services to provide training in CPR and first aid.  And we also have Disaster Services to respond to natural disasters like floods and fires, giving people shelter and food.

2.  To prepare for the holiday season, contact is made with victims of disasters served within the past year to provide holiday presents to the children.

3.  The recent economy has affected the needy in Athens County.  The amount of phone calls and walk-ins has increased from those in need.  Most often requests are made for services this agency does not provide, such as help with utility bills, food, etc.  While we are unable to provide direct help, we do make referrals to other agencies. Unemployment and a slow economy no doubt will play a factor this holiday season.

Some other organizations that do a wonderful service to those in need in Athens County are:

Good Works – a fundraising program that helps impoverished people and often provides free meals.

ACJFS – Athens County Job and Family Services, provides support to local families and the unemployed.

The Salvation Army – Does fundraising and maintains a food pantry for the needy.

With the help of these organizations and the caring volunteer citizens of Athens, we can all help make a difference this holiday season!

-Tyler

Athens is located in southeast Ohio, in the foothills of Appalachia.  For those techno-savvy peoples out there, you can find it by going to Google Maps and typing in Athens, Ohio.  There’s a wide variety of outdoor activities in or around Athens County for people to enjoy.  The sites that I’ll be talking about are all places that I have visited and had a good experience at.  So without further ado…lets get started!

The Bike Path:  The bike path is a staple for community members and college students alike in Athens.  It wraps around Athens City and continues on the outskirts of Ohio University’s campus, eventually ending up in the neighboring town of Nelsonville.

The Skatepark: Athens’ skatepark is located right behind the community center on East State Street.   It was recently upgraded to a completely concrete facility.  Young students from Athens’ local schools can be seen there in the afternoons on weekdays, doing flips and tricks to please the crowd.

The City Pool: Right next to the skatepark and community center is Athens’ city pool.  In the summer citizens go there for a quick dip or to lay out in the large grass lawn within the pool’s fences.

Sells Park: Behind the east side neighborhood is a great park that is very convenient for local residents.  Hiking trails and interesting rock formations can be found there.

Putt People First: Located at the ridges off of Richland Avenue, Putt People First is a free put put course funded by local businesses.  All you need to do is bring your own club and balls and your set to go!

Hocking Hills Canopy Tours: Technically not in Athens, but just a short drive away is a great eco-tourism site that allows you to zipline through the trees of appalachian woods.

Old Man’s Cave: Another short drive away, this cave is actually somewhat famous and includes a great waterfall at the end of the trail.  This is a great family retreat that I highly recommend.

There you have it!  I hope that this serves as a good guide for those looking for some interesting outdoor recreation in the Athens area.  Soooo get out there and explore!

-Tyler