Mount Hood

Decadent Desserts Meet Mixed Drinks

Try these dessert-based cocktail recipes at an upcoming gathering

Rylie Horrall | Managing Editor

The cool thing about cocktails is that they can be made from almost anything — whether that results in a delicious drink is an entirely different story. Listed below are four cocktails that are themed around dessert favorites, such as milkshakes and creme brulee. If a person is not of legal drinking age, don’t attempt these recipes. Please drink responsibly.

RED VELVET HOT COCOA COCKTAIL

Start to finish: 15 – 20 minutes, Yields: 2 cocktails

  • Vodka
  • White chocolate liqueur
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup cream
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 8 ounces white chocolate
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Red food coloring
  • Sprinkles

Boil milk and cream in a pot, then add white chocolate. Stir until melted. Add brown sugar, vanilla extract, cocoa powder and red food coloring. Rim glass with melted white chocolate and coat with sprinkles. Remove boiling mixture from heat and stir in white chocolate liqueur and vodka as desired. Pour into glass and top with optional whipped cream.

Recipe from @theviplist on TikTok

FROZEN MUDSLIDE

Start to finish: 5 – 10 minutes, Yields: 1 cocktail

  • 8 ice cubes
  • 2 – 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream
  • 1 ounce Kahlua
  • 1 ounce chocolate syrup
  • Whipped cream, optional
  • Chocolate sprinkles, optional

Chill serving glass in the freezer. Place ice cubes, ice cream, vodka, Baileys, Kahlua and chocolate syrup in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour mudslide into the chilled glass, and freeze for 5 – 10 minutes to thicken, then top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles if desired.

Recipe from insanelygoodrecipes.com

PEACH COBBLER COCKTAIL

Start to finish: 3 minutes, Yields: 1 cocktail

  • ¾ ounces hazelnut liqueur
  • ¾ ounces peach vodka
  • ¾ ounces heavy cream
  • Peach slice
  • Brown sugar
  • Crushed graham crackers

Rim a glass with a combination of brown sugar and crushed graham crackers, wetting the rim with liqueur. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the peach vodka, hazelnut liqueur and heavy cream. Shake well. Strain over fresh ice into prepared glass and garnish with peach slice.

Recipe from thespruceeats.com

CARAMEL CREME BRULEE WHITE RUSSIAN

Start to finish: 3 minutes, Yields: 1 cocktail

  • 3 ounces vodka
  • 1 ½ ounces Kahlua
  • 1 ½ ounces milk or heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons caramel syrup
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup
  • Whipped cream

Fill a cocktail glass halfway with ice. Add vodka, Kahlua, milk, vanilla syrup and caramel syrup, in that order. Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce.

Recipe from Holly at 3yummytummies.com

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu

Red Velvet Cot Cocoa Cocktail:

Frozen Mudslide:

Peach Cobbler:

Caramel Creme White Russian:

    New to the area: Sundew Tattoo

    Artist opens local tattoo studio in Monmouth

    Allison Vanderzanden | Copy Editor

    On Feb. 9, Sundew Tattoo opened for business off of Main Street in Monmouth. What was previously a veterinary clinic has been divided into two units, one of which is now Phoebe Bordadora’s tattoo studio. 

    Since they were young, Bordadora has always enjoyed creating art, and they are grateful for the opportunity to make their passion professional.

    “To have the privilege to do it now for a living is basically my dream come true,” Bordadora said.

    Bordadora is excited to offer their one-of-a-kind style to anyone looking for a unique tattoo. They aim for accessibility and comfortability from booking to the appointment. Some of the ways they do this include asking in the booking form what accommodations can be made, providing fidget toys in the waiting room and setting up a tablet for watching movies during the tattooing process.

    “Even though the tattoo industry has come a long ways very quickly, I think a lot of people still have that stereotype in their mind of … you have to be like a big tough guy to go get a tattoo and it’s going to be scary,” Bordadora said. “And I kind of feel like it’s my duty to make something completely the opposite of that, just like really welcoming and inclusive and not scary.”

    One of the things Bordadora is most proud to offer is Filipino inspired tattoos. As a half Filipino themself, Bordadora has taken up the ancient method of hand poking to tattoo some traditional designs with their own personal spin.

    “I really did get into it … to feel more connected to my ancient ancestors,” Bordadora said. “You don’t really see Filipino tattoos a lot nowadays, and I think it would be cool to kind of provide that.”

    For the near future, Bordadora plans to focus on making Sundew Tattoo as comfortable as it can be and make the empowering experience of getting tattooed more approachable. Some long term goals they have include selling merchandise like T-shirts and expanding their reach by attending tattoo conventions.

    Sundew Tattoo is open for appointments Tuesday – Saturday at 1276 Main St. E. Find a collection of Bordadora’s work on Instagram @phoebes_jeebies and book an appointment today at their website, tattoosbyphoebe.com.

    Contact the author at howlcopyeditor@wou.edu

    Thrifting Tips and Tricks

    Insider information to make thrifting more rewarding

    Mikayla Coleman | Managing Editor

    Thrifting is a great way to expand one’s wardrobe or space on a college student budget. Use these thrifting insider tips and tricks during the next trip to the thrift store. 

    Forget sizes. With the sheer amount of different clothing accumulated in any given thrift store, there is going to be a huge variety of sizes. Obviously, it’s good to have an idea of what is too big and too small for oneself, but don’t focus on specific numbers or common lettering sizes. Sizing varies greatly depending on different brands, materials and styles — even for the numbered ones that are supposed to be exact inches. Getting hung up on these labels can cause people to neglect great pieces that might not be organized correctly. 

    Know what to avoid. Buying something that has flaws is not always a bad thing. Pieces that have small holes or rips can easily be hand sewn together and made good as new. Stains, however, are almost always a losing game; there are some stains that just will not come out. Severity, size and substance are the three components to consider when a piece in a thrift store has a stain. I have had my fair share of paint-spotted clothing that I have continued to love and wear for several years. But if it’s oil, it’s going to be a journey to try to get the spot out — one with no certain ending. It may be better to save money for a different garment. 

    Identify what is worth it. In recent years, prices at thrift stores have inflated substantially due to the rising popularity of thrifting for the middle class and resellers. When intaking donations, thrift store employees may increase the price of items if it has a recognizable brand. If one feels that a particular item is priced too high, most thrift stores have a specific discount day or a way to identify when certain products will go on sale. Playing the long game can be beneficial for the wallet, but don’t count on the piece staying there forever.

    Happy thrifting!

    Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu

    Food Drive Donations Begin

    WOU Food Pantry holds food drive across Monmouth and Salem campuses

    Mollie Herron | News Editor

    Looking to give back or get help from the campus community? The WOU Food Pantry is accepting food donations in large white barrels all around campus labeled with “WOU Food Pantry.” Students can also head to the Food Pantry in person, located in the Welcome Center by the courtyard entrance.

    The donated food can be accessed by all members of the community and is not limited to students. No identification is required to use the service, it is only asked that one takes only what they need so that all visitors can have access. The food available is supplied solely from donations, so there is no guarantee that everyone will be able to grab the food they prefer. 

    Donors of the Food Pantry include the Marion Polk Foodshare, which is a food bank that can be donated to in Salem, and other donations are collected from the Monmouth-Independence area.

    For community members who do not need the service, or cannot donate food items, the pantry is run by volunteers and anyone is encouraged to donate their time. Volunteers have the option to sign up for one time shifts or can sign up for repeating shifts throughout the entire term. It is a great way to earn service hours or to add to one’s resume.

    As well as being a place for people to pick up and donate food, the Food Pantry assists with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Money for Meals. Signing up for SNAP, also known as food stamps, can be a confusing process to go through, and the Food Pantry can assist in that process. Money for Meals is a Western program for students with a need for food that cannot be met through the Food Pantry. For any student or person in need of food assistance, the Food Pantry can help.

    Give back to the community and donate time or food so that everyone can thrive. The Food Pantry is always taking donations.

    Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

    Fields of Peace founder visits Western

    Peace organization’s founder Charles Busch speaks on topics of nonviolence

    Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

    Content warning: this article discusses war and violence. 

    Charles Busch, founder and executive director of the organization Fields of Peace, gave a presentation about the importance of nonviolence in the Health and Wellness Center on Feb. 17. Joined by the organization’s former board chair and current treasurer Rod DeLuca, Busch spoke about Fields of Peace and their mission to “stop the killing of children in wars” and push for lasting world peace. 

    Busch began the session with a story originally attributed to Kim Stafford, an award-winning Oregon poet and conscientious objector to the Vietnam War.

    The story centers on a boy that is revealed to be Stafford’s father, William, who — when faced with school bullies attacking two African American students — puts himself in harm’s way to stand by the victims in a peaceful show of support. 

    Much of Busch’s presentation centered around the principles of personal transformation, moral persuasion and sacrifice — the building blocks to peace. 

    Personal transformation begins when an effort is made to commit to peace. Busch’s own personal transformation began as he looked for peace vows that fit his personal, spiritual and religious needs. Eventually, he made the choice to write his own, and read a select few aloud from his book, “soft as water.” 

    Moral persuasion comes when peacemakers implore others to take up peace work. Sacrifice, as Busch explained, is the hard part. 

    Sacrifice in the name of peace requires one to prove they are dedicated to nonviolence, even under threat of violence. When speaking of sacrifices made in the name of peace, Busch referenced great peace advocates such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

    Fields of Peace created their vow called “Promise to Our Children” to uphold their mission. This promise was drafted by Busch when he founded Fields of Peace. He explained in his presentation that as war has evolved over the decades, the ratio of casualties between civilians and combatants has shifted from one civilian per nine combatants to nine civilians per one combatant. 

    The majority of these civilian deaths are children, hence the need for such a pledge. Each member of the organization takes the following vow, as well as any who wish to live by the words. 

    “I will not be a part of the killing of any child no matter how lofty the reason. Not my neighbor’s child. Not my child. Not the enemy’s child. Not by bomb. Not by bullet. Not by looking the other way. I will be the power that is peace.” 

    Great peacemaking work continues to be an important part of making the world a better place. To learn more about Charles Busch and Fields of Peace, go to the organization’s website at fieldsofpeace.org. 

    Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu 

    Free Coffee Offered in the Library

    Free coffee takes the place of the Press cafe in the library

    Mollie Herron | News Editor

    When studying in the Hamersly Library, many students notice the run down cafe in the far north side of the first floor. The Press cafe was a place for students in the library to order coffee, pastries and sandwiches, but has been closed for quite some time. Because of this closure, there are limited places for students to buy coffee on campus. 

    “It’s a funding issue, it’s not that anybody wanted the cafe to close,” Chelle Batchelor, dean of library and academic innovation said. “In fact, all of us on campus would really love to have it reopen.”

    Due to the decrease in the number of students on campus, Hamersly Library does not have the funds to support the cafe. Fortunately, Caffe Allegro is still open and only a short walk away from the library. For students looking to get their caffeine fix after Caffe Allegro’s closing hour of 2 p.m., the library will be offering free coffee from 2 – 6 p.m. every week Monday through Friday.

    Unfortunately, the free coffee cannot be given out until after Caffe Allegro closes so that there is no competition between the two. As much as everyone wishes free coffee could be offered at all times, there is the assumption that it would slow business and cause a negative result for both locations.

    For those looking to support the library and help with upkeep as well as support future endeavors, donations to the Hamersly Library Dean’s Fund are always welcomed. These donations will help keep the library clean as well as provide funds to buy new materials and support the existing ones. With more donations, the library will also get the opportunity to award more scholarships to students that have earned it.

    Donating is encouraged because it helps keep campus accessible and up to date for students, but if it is really only for the coffee, that is perfectly acceptable too.

    Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

    Hamersly Library introduces Peer Advocates

    Western’s Hamersly Library introduces new student staff on the team, Peer Advocates

    Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

    Hamersly Library is committed to providing a secure and welcoming environment where students can feel safe during all hours of operation. 

    Earlier this year, Hamersly Library announced the inauguration of their new staff group, the Peer Advocates. This new student employee position was tasked with serving as student advocates in a peer leadership role, particularly in the evening and weekend hours when full-time staff are unavailable. 

    According to Hamersly Library, the need for Peer Advocates arose due to several factors, primarily caused by campus wide cutbacks brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In September of 2020, many staff members had to be laid off based on seniority. Before the pandemic, the library was completely student-run which provided its own challenges since services were also being provided for members of the local community.

    In addition to these issues, the library heard conversations detailing concern and a sense of vulnerability among patrons, primarily students, during the 2020 – 21 academic year.

    “We confirmed that late night hours and weekend hours were important in terms of study space, but also that students considered basic library services sufficient during those hours with referrals to daytime staff when necessary,” said Janeanne Rockwell-Kincanon, the public service librarian at Hamersly Library. “From our graduating student employees, we heard that while those student-staffed hours were mostly quiet, there were occasions when having a clear leader designated would be beneficial.”

    From 5 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and during weekend hours, Peer Advocates will function as the “lead” student employees for students coming in and out of the library. They will not serve as supervisors to their peers, but rather as coordinators and a resource for students’ needs and concerns. 

    While the Peer Advocate position is still a work in progress, with time only dictating future enrichment, the staff are committed to improving quality of service through the collaboration of ideas and showcasing their own individual strengths.

    “Loki (Lyrix-Astyriel) is fluent in ASL, so I’m pleased that our Deaf and Hard of Hearing patrons have someone with whom they can fully communicate,” said Rockwell-Kincanon.

    Meanwhile, Saysha Breitmeyer has experience in working with the Math Center, and Jaelynn Cocker has worked for the library since even before the pandemic. Students visiting Hamersly can find the three Peer Advocates doing their rounds wearing their new Peer Advocate white jackets.

    Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

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