Mount Hood

Deals available to Western students

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

College is a wonderful but financially painful time for many students. When all of the bills are released and the bank accounts become borderline empty, it’s nice to be able to go to a location that gives students a little break. Maybe a discount?

Two locations in Monmouth and the neighboring town Independence offer students a deal at their places. The Tap Station in Independence offers a dollar discount to Western students who have their school ID, while Main Street Ice Cream Parlor has a double punch card deal.

The Tap Station is located at 87 S Main Street in Independence, the establishment being an old gas station turned restaurant and bar. Wednesday is known as “Western Wednesdays,” which involves an all-day happy hour with $1 off of the final tab if students come in with their Western ID. 

The deal applies to not only drinks at the bar, but also works with non-alcoholic beverages for underage students as well. The “Western Wednesday” deal also applies to cowboys. Students of all ages are welcome in the establishment, and the folks running the Tap Station hope to see more students come to grab a bite or drink.

Main Street Ice Cream Parlor is also located off of Main Street but in Monmouth ⏤ 109 Main Street E, within walking distance of campus. The business offers a punch card program, and gives two stamps for the price of one on Mondays. This is applicable to Western students and others from surrounding universities. Once the punch card is full, the holder gets their ice cream for free and the option to start the cycle over again. This offer was made for students to get a benefit for being at the ice cream parlor⏤ along with a chance to get free ice cream quicker.

Main Street Ice Cream Parlor also offers other deals for those that follow their Instagram page.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo by Caity Healy

WOU-Hoo: Getting pumped for Homecoming

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

This year’s homecoming game is readily approaching, and with it comes Homecoming week, filled with fun events and activities for students to participate in every day.

The Kickoff Carnival is filled with fun games and prizes to win, including this year’s Homecoming t-shirts. At this time, students have an opportunity to take part in the “Paint the Wolf” event, a tradition that has gone on for years, as another way to leave their mark.

Students can get pumped up with the “Paint the Town Red” event, which involves partnering with local participating businesses to make Monmouth more festive for the week.

The decorating continues with various offices being wildly decorated around campus. While checking those out, students will have a chance to win prizes if they show their spirit by decking out in Western gear.

The hoedown allows students to fully participate in this year’s theme – Wild Wild Western. Students have a chance again to get a free t-shirt and have a fun time at the themed dance.

The Bonfire Pep Rally gathers Western’s students around to chat and have a good time before the “W” burns, a tradition that happens the night before the Homecoming game that most students enjoy being a part of.

The energy continues right before the Homecoming game with the All Student Tailgate, where students get pumped up and spirited before entering the stadium. 

Get prepped for the big game throughout the week by attending events and gaining prizes. Students can get ready for the game by decking out in Wolf gear from the WolfStore ⏤ take advantage of the 30-70% off sale. If students choose to really go all out and paint their faces, be sure to use paint that can go on skin.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo by Paul F. Davis

Overview of new food trucks in Monmouth

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

College is often a major transition for students. You’re suddenly living on your own, paying your own bills, and, on top of all of this, you have to pay for your own food. It takes a lot of mental energy to figure out what to eat each and every day ⏤ energy that could be better spent studying or ignoring your homework ⏤ because let’s face it, we’ve all been there. Although Western provides a dining hall on campus, Monmouth itself is filled with many other food establishments within minimal walking distance from campus.

As soon as Main Street comes into view, it’s surrounded by assorted restaurants with small businesses sprinkled in between buildings. There are quick bites like Yang’s or Koyote’s, or sit-down restaurants such as Yeasty Beasty and Sing Fey’s. However, Main Street isn’t the only area where incredible food can be found.

This year has provided an influx of food trucks, both new and not. Currently, there are a few that are parked across from City Hall all day and night with a few more in different areas throughout town. They provide an easy food option that is full of diverse dishes and, best of all, it’s affordable.

Most provide their locations for the day or week across various social media platforms, so customers always know where exactly to flock to for some great food for even greater prices. The food trucks have their individual hours posted on websites and social platforms along with their menus.

Across from the Academic Programs Support Center off-campus, an annex will be opening up where more food trucks can group.

I plan to go to the various food trucks located here in this lovely little town and provide a more in-depth review of each of them. Each week will provide an opportunity to learn about the food they have at their establishments, what the staff recommends, links on where to find them, and even some background information on each of them. Be sure to check out next week’s issue for an overview of Tucky’s and its southern style food.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

SOLVE your summer volunteering problem

Cora McClain | Copy Editor

Now that summer has rolled around and class is out, a good bit of relaxation is in order. However, if the extra time might be a bit too boring, then give volunteering a try. From the local library to the community garden, there’s bound to be a plethora of opportunities for volunteering. But if you’re looking to do something a bit bigger than shelving books, perhaps cleaning up your local environment is more up your alley.

It’s easy to say that the earth has a few problems — trying to solve those problems is a bit more challenging. Luckily, there is an organization that makes solving these problems a little easier.

SOLVE is a volunteering opportunity organization that is dedicated to “taking care of Oregon.” On their website, solveoregon.org, there is a simple search engine that allows anyone to search for local volunteer opportunities in beach, city-wide and creek clean-ups as well as invasive plant removal and native tree and shrub planting. The easy-to-use platform also gives you the date and location of the event, and even a contact for the organizer of the event to answer any questions. Often, the volunteers are provided with gloves, safety vests, trash bags and even lunch on-site.

So, if you decide that you want to take an afternoon to help out the environment, try SOLVE and see if there are any clean ups in your area. If not, any interested person could also organize a clean-up through SOLVE’s site. Visit solveoregon.org/create-your-own-event to learn more.

 

Contact the author at howlcopyeditor@wou.edu

Photo by Cora McClain

Four variations on classic s’mores

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Summer isn’t truly complete without a few s’mores. This classic treat is easy to make, delicious, and is often associated with great memories made around campfires. However, sometimes even old favorites can use a new and interesting twist. Here are a few different ways to mix up your s’mores this summer.

 

The mixed berry s’more: I’m a believer that chocolate and berries go great together, so why not throw a few into some s’mores? You know, in case you need something that screams “summer” even louder than this campfire tradition.

 

The peanut butter s’more: Most of us know someone who’s a sucker for peanut butter and chocolate, and if you don’t, that person may be you. If so, this simple twist of spreading a good chunky peanut butter on the graham crackers is one you might enjoy.

 

The cookie sandwich s’more: Whether your favorite cookie is Oreo or chocolate chip, swapping the classic graham crackers with even more sugary goodness is one way to make your s’mores unique.

 

The s’more “cobbler”: Weather not cooperating? Having trouble finding a suitable place for a campfire? Fortunately, this alternative version of s’mores can be done with an oven by layering graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows in a lasagna or pie pan and heating until the marshmallows are toasty and melted.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo by Rebecca Meyers

Showcase: Graduation caps

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

 

Michelle Soutar, BS in Communications: “The names on my cap represent people that have always supported me and held me up during my last few terms. Like most things in college I hadn’t intended to put flowers but a mistake ended up working out for me with the flower cover up. The Comm saying is mostly because it’s my major. Thanks Pinterest! Let’s go out glittering y’all!”

Photo by Rebecca Meyers

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Stephanie Franco, BS in Business: My cap is a reference to me finishing my degree in Business, and made it glitter to help me stand out in the crowd at graduation.

Photo by Rebecca Meyers

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Sara Powszok, BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: “I chose to decorate my cap this way because I seriously couldn’t have survived this chapter of my life without the support of my parents. They are truly my best friends and my number one fans. I am eternally grateful for them.”

Photo courtesy of Sara Powszok

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Preston Moore, BS in Interdisciplinary Studies: “I chose this for my grad cap because of all the crazy adventures I have gone on at my time here at Western. All the steps taken and new friends made are innumerable. Also, I love ‘Harry Potter’ — #GriffindorRules.”

Photo by Caity Healy

 

Become the greatest gift-giver

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

There are many great things to look forward to after graduation: the celebrations, the feeling of accomplishment, the relief of being done with school and of course, the gifts. They often come from well-meaning friends and family, but they also can often be a hit or miss. If you’re worried you’ll shoot for a hit but get a miss with your grad gift, here’s a list of ideas to start with.

 

Money: An easy first answer that any grad will appreciate is a little financial relief, regardless of their tastes. Even if it’s a minimal amount, it can still buy a little extra caffeine and the grad will definitely appreciate it.

Vacation: Graduation and finals tend to take everyone’s energy and focus, so arranging and paying for some stress relief will help take the graduation load off. Hopefully, they will return energized and ready to face the post-graduation world.

A collection of memories: Whether in the form of framed photos or customized decor, putting together a compilation of memories from the grad’s years at Western will be sure to be a hit for a nostalgic graduate.

New laptop: Senior’s laptops have been through years of all-nighters, coffee spills, built up files and hours of streaming that wear down the battery life. Send your graduate into the world prepared to do all these things over again, but with a fresh start for their new careers.

Portfolio or business card holder: A few simple gifts at the cheaper end, professional portfolios, business card holders or planners are gifts to show your support for your graduate’s endeavours.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo by Paul F. Davis

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