Ruth Simonsen – Page 9 – The Western Howl

Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor

Scary Movie Marathon — A scary movie night is an excellent and cost-effective date idea, perfect for snuggling up together while celebrating the spooky season. Setting the perfect environment is essential — dim the lights, make some popcorn and curl up beneath a blanket to establish the tone. Netflix and other streaming services offer a wide range of options, as do free movies on YouTube.

Make Fall Treats — A terrific bonding activity and something that gets the laughter and conversation going is to try making an online recipe for apple pie, cookies, muffins or hot chocolate to enjoy together while listening to soft music in the background or reminiscing. Date night just got sweeter with some delicious treats and a cozy atmosphere that would make anyone fall in love.

Farmers Market — A farmers market is a pleasant and relaxed fall date idea that is perfect for casual chat. Fall farmers markets are filled with fresh produce such as pumpkins, apples, squash and other seasonal items, making it an ideal time to go exploring together. While walking around the market, one may taste handcrafted items and select fresh ingredients for that evening’s dinner date.. Most also include live music, flower booths or warm beverages like cider, coffee or hot chocolate.

Pumpkin Patch — Visiting a pumpkin patch is a classic fall date idea that mixes enjoyment, nostalgia and a little adventure. It creates a great setting for enjoying the crisp autumn air while wandering through rows of pumpkins, seeking the perfect one to take home. Pumpkin patches sometimes provide other activities like hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos and marketplaces, making it feel like an outing to the farmers market.

Haunted House — To truly judge a relationship by its compatibility, a haunted house is an exciting fall date idea that is ideal for getting into the creepy mood of the season. It adds fun and anticipation to any October night, resulting in moments of shared adrenaline and possibly fearful embraces. Whether couples are navigating creepy passages, evading jump scares or laughing off the stress together, the experience triggers a wide range of emotions that can draw two people closer. It may also reveal who is the bravest.

Fall Hikes — Fall is one of the nicest times of year for hiking if one is seeking a date that combines the season’s natural beauty with quality time spent outside. As the weather cools and the leaves turn vivid colors of red, orange and yellow, nature transforms into a beautiful background for a hike. Walking along forest paths or up gorgeous mountains provide opportunities to take in spectacular scenery, allowing people to linger and enjoy the moment together.

Horseback Riding — Riding through stunning trails adorned with colorful foliage provides a calm getaway from the chaos and rush of daily life, allowing potential couples to connect with nature and each another. It’s an experience that differs from normal date activities by providing a feeling of adventure and originality.

Paint and Sip — Paint and Sip is a fun, relaxing fall date idea that combines art, drinks and a comfortable setting. Usually, seasonal or autumn-themed paintings can include subjects such as pumpkins, fall foliage or rustic landscapes. While painting, the couple can talk, laugh at one another’s progress or give advice or criticism, making the hobby more enjoyable and participatory.

Fall Photos — Taking seasonal photos in the park is a romantic and captivating date idea that captures the warmth and beauty of the season, while also generating lasting memories to frame. The internet is a great place to check for inspiration, like creating a ghost photoshoot: grab a sheet, accessories and various props and dress as ghosts for pictures. It’s also an excellent chance to take a relaxing walk, engage in conversation and absorb the natural beauty surrounding you.

Costume Party — A costume party is a fun and creative fall date idea that encapsulates the whimsical and festive spirit of the spooky season. At the party, enjoy the social side of interacting with others, appreciate their attire and partake in themed activities and music, allowing for the perfect activity to unwind and have fun while completely immersed in the event.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

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This week in entirely made up horoscopes

The Signs in a horror movie:

Aries: Decides to argue with the killer instead of trying to escape

Taurus: Dies while leaving their hiding spot to find a snack

Gemini: killed mid-yap

Cancer: frat bro who dresses up as the killer to scare people

Leo: Sacrifices friend to save themself

Virgo: survives, but at what cost?

Libra: The geek that thinks they’re smarter than everyone

Scorpio: Befriends the killer

Sagittarius: The dumb cheerleader that dies first

Capricorn: The real killer

Aquarius: Survives by making a flamethrower out of perfume and a lighter

Pisces: The supposed killer

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Fall playlist

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

“Being Cool” — Kimya Dawson

“Rhiannon” — Fleetwood Mac

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” — Taylor Swift

“Oh Klahoma” — Jack Stauber

“Motion Sickness” — Phoebe Bridgers

“The Yawning Grave” — Lord Huron

“Whistling Tree” — Haunted Like Human

“Blood Orange Morning Light” — Andrew Montana

“In a Bad Way” — Haunted Like Human

“Tree Hugger” — Kimya Dawson & Antsy Pants

“Eleanor Rigby” — Cody Fry

“Harpy Hare” — Yaelokre

“the fruits” — Paris Paloma

“Tire Swing” — Kimya Dawson

“Massachusetts” — Jensen McRae

“this is me trying – the long pond studio sessions” — Taylor Swift

“Which Witch” — Florence + the Machine

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Here there be. . . dragons?

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

This year saw a resurgence of dragon-based media. Author Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series — following Violet Sorrengail at Basgiath War College as she and her friends become dragon riders — has sold five million copies globally.

Season two of Max’s “House of the Dragon” — based on author George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire and Blood” — premiered this summer, drawing nearly eight million viewers per episode. Other books that featured dragons, such as “When the Moon Hatched” by Sarah A. Parker and “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon, also sold extremely well this year with the latter selling more than one million copies in English worldwide.

What sets all these stories apart is their depiction and definition of dragons. So, time to answer the question: what defines a dragon?

Traditionally, dragons are flying lizards with at least 11 different subspecies, with the most common being wyverns, basilisks and hydras. Most have the ability to breathe fire or water, two elemental abilities that set apart Western and Eastern dragons.

However, what defines each subspecies of a dragon is not its abilities but its number of limbs. Commonly, dragons have four legs and two wings, meaning any other number of legs and wings would classify the creature as something other than a dragon. For example, the dragons in “House of the Dragon” have two legs and two wings, which would technically classify them as wyverns instead of dragons, although the show never mentions this.

In interviews, when questioned about his choice to only give his dragons two legs, author George R.R. Martin was quick to defend his creative liberty. “No known species in the natural world has four legs and two wings,” Martin said. In doing this, Martin believes he has brought a more realistic feel to his fantasy world.

The Empyrean series has a more traditional definition of dragons and wyverns, dragons with four legs and wyverns with two, as well as having the wyverns occupy a traditionally evil role. The series even goes so far as to classify the dragons by color and tail types.

With how popular dragon media is, one can’t help but wonder why they have remained so steadfast in pop culture.

Professor Emily Zarka at Arizona State University has a few ideas as to why this is. “One enduring reason dragons continue to appear in our world could be because they represent the power of nature,” Zarka said, before adding, “More importantly, I believe, the beauty, terror and power of the dragon evokes mystery and suggests that not all phenomena are easily explained or understood.”

Whether fans agree or disagree on the definition of a dragon, one thing is evident: dragons will always be an important part of Eastern and Western media. The creatures are practically ingrained in the cultures and don’t seem to be leaving anytime soon, especially from the reading community.

The third book in the Empyrean series, “Onyx Storm,” is set to release in Jan. 2025, with copies available for preorder now. “House of the Dragon” has been renewed for another two seasons, with filming for season three starting in early 2025.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Cicadas broods infected with Massospora fungus

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

In late spring and early summer across the south and midwest, two broods of cicadas, XIX and XIII, will be hatching simultaneously. Cicada broods typically hatch every 13 and 17 years — for brood XIX and brood XIII, respectively — and the last time these broods hatched at the same time was 1803, making this an entomological phenomenon. All seven cicada species will be represented in both broods this year — it won’t be until 2037 that all seven are represented again.

Jason Bittel from the “Washington Post” had the opportunity to sit down with experts on cicada life cycles.

“It’s pretty spectacular, from the standpoint of a scientist that’s interested in cicadas,” said Matt Kasson, a mycologist at West Virginia University. Mycologists focus on the study of fungi and how they are spread.

This time around, scientists hope to investigate and uncover the mysteries around a parasitic fungus that affects adult cicadas. The fungus, called Massospora cicadina, affects only the Magicicada species, also known as periodical cicadas because of the broods’ hatching periods.

Infection of the cicadas first occurs when they emerge from their broods; spores attach themselves to their abdomens and begin to grow.

When the fungus’ spores infect a cicada, its body is flooded with amphetamine and psilocybin, and its lower abdomen along with reproductive organs are replaced with the fungus. The fungus takes on a chalky white appearance, leading scientists to call them “saltshakers of death.”

The presence of amphetamine and psilocybin in the cicada’s body changes the insects’ behavior. The most common behavior change in cicadas is hypersexuality. Additionally, during the mating cycle of the cicada’s life, infected male cicadas don’t only mate with female cicadas — they mimic the mating patterns of female cicadas so other males will mate with them.

This pattern of behavior in infected male cicadas causes the fungus to be sexually transmitted, to males and females alike. However, it is less prevalent in females than it is in males.

“Periodical cicadas have interlocking genitalia. So when they pull apart, guess what happens? Rip. And then there’s a cicada walking around with someone else’s genitals stuck to them,” said Dr. John Cooley, an associate professor in residence of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut, Hartford, “…and now the cicada that’s infected is busted open.”

While also studying the habits of these infected cicadas, scientists like Kasson and Cooley are hoping to research the use of the fungus in the field of medicine. M. cicadina is used in cultures in China and among New Zealand’s Maori as a traditional medicine for inflammation.

There is a positive side to the emergence of cicada broods, however. Cicada emergences have had ecological benefits, providing an array of protein for predators, as well as boosts in phosphorus and nitrogen for plant life, thanks to trillions of decaying insect bodies.

“If you’re out during this year’s emergence and your dog or toddler happens to gulp down a cicada or three, don’t worry about it,” said Maureen Turcatel, collections manager of insects at the Field Museum in Chicago. “Cicadas can’t bite or sting, and they are perfectly edible.”

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

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Western’s boil water notice

Written by: Libby Thoma | Staff Writer

On Wednesday, April 17, Western released an email stating that a water main break on campus affected the following buildings: Administration, The Cottage, ITC, Maple Hall, Campbell Hall, Bellamy Hall, Academic Programs Support Center and the Advising Center.

Drinking water in said buildings was not guaranteed to be safe and was sent off to be tested to ensure safe potability levels. The aforementioned buildings were then put under a 24-hour boil water notice, ordered by the City of Monmouth.

A water main break occurs when the water main, the service line maintained by the city to ensure clean water is delivered to taps, acquires a hole or a crack, allowing surrounding soil and other contaminants to seep in. Contaminants include but are not limited to debris and bacteria. To fix this issue, the pipe is dug up and repaired or replaced, water quality is tested to ensure safety and the hole is patched up.

The waters were said to be okay for handwashing — just not drinking. Hand sanitizers and water bottles were placed in the affected buildings for extra caution during those 24 hours. These buildings were closed due to safety concerns, causing classes to be canceled and faculty, staff and students to be evacuated. On Thursday, April 18, Western released that the test returned and that the water from the affected buildings was safe to drink. The boil water notice was subsequently lifted.

If this occurs again, it is important to limit water use as contaminated water can put one at risk for waterborne diseases. Water filters such as Brita are only for filtering potable drinking water, so before a safety — potability notice — it is recommended to drink other liquids or bottled water and shower as little as possible.

There is no need to worry, as of April 18, the water is officially safe to drink.

Contact the author at ethoma23@mail.wou.edu

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Not who I knew

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

Content warning: gun violence, murder

We all have a friend who has been close to us for years. For me, it was a boy named Alex. Alex and I met during our junior year of high school during football season. He had just transferred from the 6A school in our area and was on the football team. I was the football team manager. I don’t really remember our first meeting in all honesty.

Alex and I became fast friends and then like siblings. We were tight. 90% of my Snapchat memories from Senior year are from that f—-r either sleeping or pulling some shenanigans in class. He was especially close with my mom, sometimes even preferring to hang out with her over me when we’d fight over petty s–t.

Alex didn’t always have the best life. His biological mother abandoned him, and his adoptive family kicked him out as soon as he was 18. But, we still tried our best to stay in contact, even with our busy schedules, me with school and work, him sometimes out of service for months working for Grayback Forestry.

The last time I heard from him was Aug. 14, when he warned me about a fire that was close to Salem. My last two texts have remained unread since. Ten days prior, he had done the unthinkable.

I didn’t know about it until recently, maybe two weeks ago, only a few days after his arrest. My mom had called me and told me the news — she had found out from her former coworker. The world spun constantly that day.

Information on what happened is limited. I can’t even find the full story, but, from what I understand, Alex was somewhere he should not have been with some friends he should not have been with. Their day out ended with shooting someone and then to ensure he was dead, ran him over with their truck. His “friends” had been arrested almost immediately — it took them longer to connect Alex to the crime. The idiot had sent texts about covering up the crime and had photos of the victim’s firearm on his phone.

I think I cried all day that day. I was angry and felt like I failed my friend, like I didn’t do enough to help him. His last texts to me were looking out for me. I don’t think when the police searched his phone they even read my messages. They are still unread.

For me, the hardest thing is finding out someone you would trust with your life could do something so horrible. Alex was the person I trusted everything with in high school, the person who knew almost everything about me. We walked together at graduation. He is my brother.

Finding out what he did was the worst.

This is not the Alex I know.

The Alex I know is sweet and funny. He makes smart decisions and has a somewhat steady head on his shoulders.

At the same time, it terrifies me. What if this is truly who he is and he had just hidden it all this time? What if I had done more to help him stay on track and out of trouble?

My mom feels like she failed him too. Alex had been in her ERC — Educational Resource Center — classroom for his ADHD and that is mostly where their bond formed — where she developed her maternal feelings toward him. She still calls him her kid.

This is not the Alex she knows either.

As I sit here on my laptop, staring at what he is being charged with, I am sobbing. This was my best friend and now he is someone I no longer know.

So far, he has had two court dates, one for the first three initial charges: second-degree murder, criminal conspiracy and aggravated assault. There was a second court date adding on two more charges: hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. My high school best friend is being charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor.

I am not sitting here and telling this story without a purpose or a reason. Part of me wanted to share this because I know, somewhere out there, people are going through the same thing. Their brother or sister or father or mother has done something unspeakable and they don’t know how to feel. Sometimes it’s horror, sometimes it’s pain.

I also wanted to highlight how unexpected life can really be and how it changes people. I had gone weeks without thinking about Alex and this news suddenly came up and rocked my world. I was not expecting it at all. And I think in a way, him not answering my texts was almost how he could avoid having people close to him questioned about his character by the police. His way of trying to keep the people close to him out of this.

I still feel angry at my friend. I feel sad. I will not get him back for years and when I do, he will be a completely changed person, and so will I because of his actions. He will be hardened, brittle and angry. I will likely be a wife and a mother by the time he is released. And when he is, I will still be there to support him and hopefully get him on his feet.

No matter the stupid things he does, Alex is my brother and best friend. He always will be, murder charges will never change that. Especially when I think about the situation he had to be in to do such a thing.

Alex will always be my brother.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

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Can’t help fall-ing in love

This week in entirely made up horoscopes

Fall playlist

Here there be. . . dragons?

Cicadas broods infected with Massospora fungus

Western’s boil water notice

Not who I knew

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