Mount Hood

What to do when deciding to live off campus

Rylie Horrall  |  Lifestyle Editor

By the time the first year of college has ended, some students have decided to live off campus for the next few years. This was a decision I came to myself — granted, I solidified my decision halfway into Winter Term. For anyone that’s thinking of going down this same route, here’s a list of tips for living off campus.

  • By living off campus, there’s more freedom when it comes to choosing a roommate or roommates. Some students choose to place ads on Engage when searching for people to live with, and some pick to hang forms on the various bulletin boards around campus — such as in the library and in the Werner University Center. Choosing to live with friends is also a viable option.
  • Respect between roommates is also important; the space that’s shared is bigger — so it doesn’t feel as cramped sharing just one room between multiple people — which means that there’s also more ground rules to lay out. Establish a system to make sure dishes are clean, laundry gets done and the place isn’t an overall mess. 
  • Communicating with the people you live with is imperative, such as when someone decides to have people over. Like living in the residence halls, giving roommates a heads-up about any potential guest or guests is often important to some people. Setting ground rules is a key factor to effectively living together, both on and off campus.
  • Having a stable income is imperative when living off campus; now that the housing cost isn’t included in the overall school bill, it’s on each person living in the space to contribute to rent. Money stability ensures that there will be less stress when it comes to getting all bills and groceries paid for.
  • Going off of the last statement, food sustainability becomes a major factor to be aware of. Living off campus means not having the dining hall always within reach, so it’s important to ensure the fridge is stocked with something. Grocery prices can be distributed among the roommates evenly, or, if food insecurity is a problem, Western’s Food Pantry is also available.
  • A final tip to keep in mind is to really make the living space comfortable for everyone, because it’s not just a place to live for the school year. It becomes a home, so it’s essential that it’s cozy and brings happiness.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@mail.wou.edu

Thanksgiving deal for those who aren’t traveling for the holiday

Rylie Horrall  |  Lifestyle Editor

If you’re choosing to not travel for the brief holiday break, but are planning to do a sort of “Friendsgiving” with others, Roth’s has an easy option available to make preparations go a lot smoother. By going to their website — roths.com — and scrolling down, you’ll see their “Thanksgiving Pre-order” ad. Once clicked, it will redirect you to a page that allows you to select various turkey options.

To get a completely pre-packaged meal, click the ad next to it labeled “Delicious Holiday Meals;” this gives both a turkey roast and vegetarian, plant-based option for the shopper. The turkey option includes mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, turkey gravy and cranberry sauce in addition to the main course. The plant-based dinner has a main entree — smoked apple sage sausage field roast — along with mashed sweet potatoes, a root veggie mash, vegan gravy and cranberry sauce. Both options cost $49.99 and serve between four to six adults. A package of 12 rolls and a pumpkin pie can also be added on for an additional $4.99 and $8.99, respectfully.

After pre-ordering, the meals can be picked up before Nov. 27. Be sure to check if options are still available for each location.

If you’re spending the holidays on your own, or are just opting out of a large dinner, Bi-Mart has a few Thanksgiving deals that last until Nov. 27. A package of Stove Top stuffing costs $1.99, and Idahoan mashed potatoes are available for $2 for packages of three, equalling out to a cheaper alternative but still including some holiday eats.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Campus Voices

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

 

Derian Hallberg (Major: ASL Studies, junior)

I’m thankful for how much progress I’ve made emotionally, mentally and physically. I grew a lot since my first year; I was a completely different person from today and never thought I’d get this far. So I’m thankful I was able to do that.

 

Darby Olsen (Major: ASL/English Interpreting, sophomore)

I am very thankful for my amazing family. Without their support, I would not be here at Western pursuing my degree and following my dreams.

 

Nick Denning (Major: English/Philosophy, sophomore)

I’m thankful for the foggy mornings because they’re very beautiful. I’m thankful for living in a place where there are so many nice people around, so you can have people to walk in those foggy mornings with you. Also that the term is almost over.

 

Josh Pautler (Major: English Studies/Writing, sophomore)

I am thankful for supportive parents, lovely classmates, and lit classes. 

 

Claire Graves (Major: Undecided/Exploratory, sophomore)

I am thankful for my mom, and for having such supportive friends that help me get through such hard stuff and build me up. I’m also thankful for french fries.

 

Carrie Thompkins (Major: ASL/English Interpreting, sophomore) 

I’m thankful for my friends’ and family’s support through all the rough times. I am also thankful for being able to have a roof over my head and food while maintaining my education.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@mail.wou.edu

Photos by Rylie Horrall

New Thai food truck joins food annex — Sav’s Thai Kitchen

Rylie Horrall  |  Lifestyle Editor

Sav’s Thai Kitchen is the latest addition to the growing food annex in Monmouth. Located at 152 Main St W, the new food truck has only been open since Nov. 9. It is owned and operated by Savannah Randolph, who initially started out with a Thai food blog and no kitchen.
Randolph originally worked in a pharmacy, but has always had a desire to have her own food truck or a small café. Recently, a possibility arose for her to open the food truck, and she seized the opportunity.
“I found out that my job was closing the company at the end of the year, and it was my wake up call to either try and start my business or just apply for another pharmacy job,” Randolph said. “So, I decided to take a chance with the food truck.”
She chose to open in Monmouth because she had just moved to the area but was disappointed that there were no Thai restaurants nearby. Randolph also loved the feel of the food annex, which solidified her decision to open here.
The decision to serve Thai food stemmed from Randolph’s time in Thailand as a child; she lived there for four years, and began cooking and perfecting her own Thai recipes since then.
“I really wanted to show people what authentic Thai food was like,” she said.
Currently, the menu at Sav’s Thai Kitchen does not rotate, but Randolph intends to once the truck has been open for a longer period of time. The plan is to keep the menu simple and change it every couple of days or so with new daily items. By doing this, Randolph believes that customers will then get a chance to try different kinds of dishes.
For first-time customers, Randolph recommends the Khao Man Gai, which is Thai marinated chicken over garlic ginger infused rice served with chicken broth soup and a special homemade sauce.

“(You) just can’t go wrong with it and you won’t see it at any other Thai restaurant nearby. In Thailand there were specific street food stalls that only sold this one dish,” Randolph added, due to the fact that the dish was so good.
The signature dish at the food truck is the fried rice, which can be bought regular or spicy ⏤ Khao Pad Gai or Khao Pad Krapow, respectfully. The Khao Pad Gai is jasmine rice with chicken, Chinese broccoli, onion and egg, while the Khao Pad Krapow is jasmine rice with chicken, chopped green beans, Thai basil, onion and chilies. Randolph recommends adding a side of Nam Pla Prik — fish sauce with chili peppers — because it adds to the dish.
Currently, Sav’s Thai Kitchen is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., or until the truck is sold out. Starting in January, the food truck’s hours will be changed and will most likely be open Tues–Sat.
Sav’s Thai Kitchen can be found on Facebook and Instagram at the handle @savsthai, along with their website savsthaikitchen.com.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

A sick care package to prevent illness during winter

Rylie Horrall  |  Lifestyle Editor

Winter is coming, and the weather isn’t the only cold thing that comes with it. When the temperatures drop, sickness season picks up, so here’s a sick care package to make for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, in case of illness.

 

  1. The easiest thing to throw in is a few cough drops, if not a small bag. You can toss in one brand, or mix it up with a variety of flavors from fruity to minty. 
  2. To solve any congestion issues, add in some anti-congestion or cold/flu medicine. Usually allergy medicine can work as well, but it entirely depends on how your body reacts to it. Either way, at least one of those options is best to have in there.
  3. Tissues are another must-have, as most illnesses include a runny nose in their symptoms. A little travel package works and doesn’t take up much space, however feel free to use a whole box of tissues if there’s enough room.
  4. Vitamins help to boost your immune system, so oranges would be a good inclusion based on the amount of vitamins in the fruit. Plus, if the sickness is hard on the stomach, the citrus fruit isn’t too acidic that it will upset an already distressed stomach. If fruit isn’t your forte, a can of soup for later is a good substitution. Orange bell peppers are also an acceptable substitution for a source of vitamin C.
  5. Finally, put in a beverage of your choice, whether it’s juice, packages of tea, Sprite or just plain water. Hot tea will feel nice for a sore throat, but juice works just as well for those who aren’t fans of tea. For those wanting something fizzy to help with an upset stomach, Sprite ⏤ or 7Up, Sierra Mist, pick your poison ⏤ aids in fixing an upset stomach.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@mail.wou.edu

Photos by Rylie Horrall

Try these inexpensive thrift stores nearby Monmouth

Rylie Horrall  |  Lifestyle Editor

For many college students, money can be a burden that weighs heavy on minds. Because of this, finding cheap options for household items and clothes is a welcome relief. For me, it feels rewarding to find thrift stores that sell these items at a reasonable price, and luckily there’s a few options near Western.

Help and Hope to Others, more commonly known as H2O, is located in Dallas at 451 SE Maple Street. It’s a secondhand non-profit thrift store that accepts donations from the surrounding community. It then sells everything they receive at much lower and affordable prices, and their stock is constantly changing based on what is donated.

Their mission statement expresses that they wish to help those in need, and the store itself has a few ways of helping the community. For example, they have food boxes available for families in need to pick up, and also have a Helping Hand program to provide household items that struggling families and individuals are looking for; both are programs that volunteers can help with. H2O is open from Mon–Sat from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

In Independence, there’s a thrift store located at 150 C St called Fashion Sense. It was initially open in Monmouth for about a year back in 2016, but moved into a larger space in Independence in 2017. In addition to clothes, Fashion Sense also buys back various furniture and home decor. They try to buy items from customers as much as they can, but due to the limited amount of space, try to pick out items that will sell the quickest. In addition, clothes that are being sold can be brought in bags and don’t have to be on hangers, but all commodities brought in should be cleaned and washed.

Everything that’s sold in the shop is at a low price point, and can be shipped once bought or held in store until it can be picked up. Fashion Sense is open from 12–6 p.m. on Monday and from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Tues–Sat. 

Robin’s Roost is a store located at 283 S 2nd St in Independence, but, according to their most recent post on Facebook, have begun closing their doors after nine years. They still remain open on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m., and on Saturday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. to clear out inventory. Offers can still be made on their remaining stock; if one of their signs is out on the corners of the street, then they are still open.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Check out Grills Gone Wild for a variety of food

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

Grills Gone Wild is located near the Donut Bar, behind the New Life Ministries church. The food cart, owned and operated by Toto Hall, opened last month on Oct. 17. 

The first food truck she had started was an espresso truck about 20 years ago; from there, her business grew and evolved into the food truck that’s currently in Monmouth.

Hall had lived in Monmouth back when Western was still known as the Western Oregon State College. She had decided to open a food truck here in town after hearing about the food annex from an old friend, and thought the location held a lot of potential and great people.

The food truck’s menu consists mainly of grilled sandwiches, many of which contain bacon.

“I love sandwiches and I love bacon so I decided to design bacon related sandwiches,” Hall explained.

Grills Gone Wild also carries a diverse selection of fries, gyros, desserts and various other dishes. The reason for the large variation and occasional changes to the menu is because Hall likes to modify the menu according to what her customers are craving. 

“I (have) specials weekly or so and keep modifying my menu to bring food(s) locals want to eat,” Hall said.

The signature dish for Grills Gone Wild is the deep fried peanut butter, banana, marshmallow and Nutella dessert sandwich, which can’t be found on the menu, but can usually be made if prompted. The dish Hall recommends to first-time customers is either the garlic parmesan fries, or any sandwich that has bacon on it. 

In addition, Hall is in the process of expanding the gluten-free options available on the menu. Currently, Grills Gone Wild has gluten-free burgers, Philly cheesesteaks and cheesy melt sandwiches. Hall is attempting to find gluten free pita bread for chicken gyros as well, and tries to carry gluten free chicken tenders when she can.

Once winter season rolls around, Hall hopes to add soup as well to the ever growing menu.

When asked if she had anything else to add, Hall had a sentiment she wished to share.

“I love this small town and I hope to find more hungry patrons I can serve and hopefully make them happy or happier one bite at a time.”

Grills Gone Wild is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12–6 p.m. The food truck can be found on Facebook by searching “WouHoo Grills GoneWild,” and is in the process of getting other social media accounts set up.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photos by Mikayla Bruley

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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