“We hadn’t seen the reaping coming. The cryptid surrogates had pulled off the greatest con in all of history—so meticulously executed that we didn’t realize the scale of the infiltration until it was far too late. Six years after the first wave, we’d still had no idea that our losses numbered more than three hundred thousand.”

People who are afraid cannot be reasoned with. In the years following, laws bred of fear and hatred were passed. Cryptids were stripped of any and all rights. They were no longer considered human, no matter if they looked it or not. Considered nothing more than animals, the more ostentatious creatures were forced into servitude in traveling carnivals. Beneath the big top they were exploited and forced to perform for humans who were both fascinated and horrified.

Delilah Marlow’s boyfriend managed to snag tickets to one such carnival for her birthday, Metzger’s Menagerie. Metzger’s is one of the best traveling carnivals and tickets must’ve cost a small fortune. The carnival seldom passes through middle-of-nowhere Oklahoma so any who could afford to attend would be there.

“Welcome to the menagerie, where beauty and grace shine from every cage and peek from every shadow. You’ve never seen anything like the exotic wonders within, so keep your eyes open, ladies and gentlemen, because in our world of spectacle and illusion, what you see isn’t always what you get.”

Delilah gets much more than she bargained for while perusing the exhibits. When a handler uses a cattle prod to goad a child into performing, Delilah has had all she can take. Amid her fury at the mistreatment, she turns into something else. Her life as she knows it is stripped from her. She’s captured and forced to perform in the carnival. As an unidentified cryptid, they’ll try to break her, but things aren’t exactly as they seem behind the bars of the carnival and she might yet find a way out.

Menagerie is the first novel in a trilogy by the gifted Rachel Vincent. I’ve enjoyed her other works in the past and was eagerly awaiting this new world. Her world building is revealed in layers. You learn small bits and pieces from quotes at the beginning of some chapters and a few flashbacks. It’s told from alternating points of view, from both people working at the carnival and people behind the bars of the carnival as well. It’s not often you get to peak into the head of the ‘villain’ of a book or many of the supporting characters. It’s not her most impressive work and there are minor pacing and suspense flaws, but it was good enough that I’ll finish the trilogy. In a genre that seems pretty played out it’s a decently novel concept. I’d say if you’re into fantasy give it a look. It’s not overly long and it’s entertaining. The next two books are already out so there’s no waiting!

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We all know that the zoo is in Columbus, but did you know you can go on a safari right here in the MOV? Take a little drive to Cumberland and go on a safari at The Wilds.

The Wilds sits on reclaimed AEP mining land that has been resurfaced. The initial idea of the Wilds started in the late 70’s but they didn’t open their doors to the public until 1994. It hasn’t stopped growing since. They started out with the Przewalski’s wild horses in 1992 and have moved on to include a carnivore center in 2007. There are now various programs at the Wilds, including summer education camps, 10K and 5K run/walks, and zip lining tours over the animal pastures. They’ve also expanded since that first bus tour. You can now take an open air, sunset, horseback, or wildside tour. If you’d like to make a weekend out of it you can stay in one of the yurts on Nomad Ridge and watch the sun rise over the grasslands. There are also cabins and a lodge if you’d like to make it more of a family adventure. The Cabins and Lodge are nestled along a lake for ideal summer fun. You can do a little fishing, play some corn hole, take out a boat and even jump on a floating trampoline. Unlike a hotel where you might be stuck looking at an office building out your window, The Wilds offer no bad views, just picturesque beauty for miles around.My personal favorite thing to do is the wildside tour, where you ride along with one of the animal management specialists. When I went, I got to feed the rhino and Tuffy the giraffe. You get up close and personal on this particular tour driving through the pastures and it’s a wonderful opportunity for photos. Did you know rhinos can be bigger than a pickup truck? It’s pretty crazy to pull up beside one and see just how big they are in real life. Since the tour guides on this particular tour are also the animal management people, they really know their stuff. They work with these animals’ day in and day out and it shows. They do tours rain or shine so be sure to dress appropriately!

Another favorite is the zip line tour. If you stand on the observation deck outside the gift shop you’ll be able to hear people trying out their Tarzan yells as they zoom through the trees. Zip lining gives you a completely different perspective from the tours since you’re above ground the entire time, and it’s a unique opportunity to see the animals. You won’t see everything though so don’t bank on this being a substitute for an actual tour.I worked there one summer and I have to say it was one of best temporary jobs I’ve ever had. Every customer was beaming and couldn’t wait to tell you what all they saw on the tour. Something I liked to do whenever I had the time was to walk up the hill between where you buy your tickets and the gift shop and sit by the wind harp. It doesn’t look like much and it hasn’t been tuned in a while but it’s still worth the walk up the hill. When it was new and tuned the hills really were alive with the sounds of music carried to your ears upon the wind. It’s a little less melodic now that it’s out of tune but no less interesting.

The Wild’s mission is “to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife.” The tours do just that. Every tour is led by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic person who loves what they get to do every day. Every trip is educational and filled with adventure. Take the winding road to Cumberland and check it out for yourself. You’ll be hard pressed to leave the Wild’s without a smile on your face.Pro tip: Fill up your gas tank! The Wilds is located pretty far from the nearest town or gas station. If you do happen to run out of gas they’ll be glad to give you a gallon or two so you can make it back to civilization. All they ask is that you make a donation to the Wilds conservation effort.

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Over the years I’ve spent an awful lot of my free time in a library. It was always one of the first things I looked up when I moved to a new city. Yet, none of them have ever quite captured the feeling of my ‘home’ library which happens to be the Beverly Branch of the Washington County Public Libraries.

As a child, my parents often took me to the library. I was a ravenous reader and I loved learning new things. Since I was there so often I got to know the staff of the Beverly Library well. Over the years of summer reading and after school programs, the Beverly Branch was always a wonderful place to walk into. You’re always greeted with smiles and the newest selection of books. No other library has ever come close to the feeling of nostalgia and familiarity as that one has to me.

It’s nice to see that some things never change. Many of the familiar faces still work at the library and they still have wonderful programs for the community. One program this summer really caught my eye and I’m pretty sad that I’ll be at work instead of attending.

Once I saw the event on Facebook I reached out to Susan, who is the branch manager and here’s what she had to say about the event.

On July 5th at 1 p.m., the Beverly Library will be hosting a program on Foxes in Folklore at the Waterford Township Community Building in Beverly, Ohio.  This event is a part of our Summer Reading program. Foxes in Folklore will be presented by Ironwood Wolves of Galloway, Ohio.

Rachel Lauren and Matt Emmelhainz, the founders of Ironwood Wolves, have dedicated their lives to educating the public about the misunderstood canids, wolves and foxes.

“The Foxes in Folklore program is ideal for us here at the Library.  Foxes are often featured in art, fairy tales and stories:  The Gingerbread Man, Fox in Sox, The Adventures of Pinocchio, Fox and the Hound, the Sly Fox, etc.  And the fables, myths, stories have come from many countries and cultures over the years.  Cunning, wily, sly, sometimes charming but sometimes cruel, the fox hasn’t got much love in the story/fable world,” Susan Chipps, Branch Manager, said.

The Program will discuss different tales and also cover basic facts on red foxes, the most recognized fox species.  For example, “Did you know that the scientific name for Red Fox is Vulpes vulpes?  And, “Did you know that Red Foxes are not always red?

“Rachel and Matt will bring along one of their ambassador foxes for the children to see.  Which fox will they bring?  Could it be Vincent, the “cross phased” red fox?  Or maybe Ena, the red color red fox?  Would they surprise us and bring Oblio (Obi), the melanistic (black) red fox?

Our Foxes in Folklore program is open to children of all ages, but we request they have adult supervision,” Susan said.

If you can’t make this event, the library is hosting other summer programs as well.

“This summer the staff of the Beverly Library are getting out of their comfort zones.  This summer, the summer reading is “Libraries Rock!”  It should be all about music, so we are going to get loud,” Susan said.

The library is hosting a Listening Party on July 7.  They asked people what song/artist most teens need to know and made a playlist from the answers.  There will also be adult coloring pages available for a relaxing event.

“We have also brought in Russ Gorgon, the Musical Musician.  He will perform on July 9 at 10:30 at the Waterford Township Community Center,” Susan said.

July is full of musical options including a musical craft hour at 1 p.m. on July 12, a movie sing-a-long on July 14 and Tuesday musically themed movie matinees at 1 p.m.

Little ones will find fun in the Read-To-Me Story Time as they take a musical trip around the world. On Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11 a.m., accompanied children aged 2-6 can listen to stories and music from around the globe, fill their Musical Passports with exotic stamps, have a snack and create a musical instrument to practice at home.

However, a summer wouldn’t be complete without a reading challenge with a fun gift bag at the end. The library challenges every age group to spend more time reading throughout our hotter months. There is the Baby Read-To-Me (aged 0-2) and the Pre-Reader Read-To-Me (aged 2-6) where someone needs to read five books to them.  Readers (aged 5-11) need to read 10 age appropriate books.  The older readers (aged 11-18) need to read 10 hours.  The adults (18+) need to read 20 hours.  These need recorded, completed and turned in to the Library by July 14.  Gift bags can then be picked up July 18-26.

Finally, for those looking for a creative outlet, the library has you covered there, too. Pleasing Palettes Painting Parties will be having a painting party at the Beverly Library on July 24 at 6 p.m.  It’s $10 per person and pre-registration is required. On Wednesdays at 6 p.m. there will be rock painting.  Everything will be provided, just bring your creativity.

The library is a place in the community people often forget. From books to CDs and even audio books you’re sure to find something. There are so many wonderful programs going on this summer (and all year long) that you can check out in your local library. To quote Arthur from PBS, “Having fun isn’t hard, when you have a library card!”

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I recently watched Bright on Netflix. They didn’t do much in the way of promotion, I saw one trailer which piqued my interest and then I never heard about it again. Will Smith snagged the lead which is enough to make me watch it. When my friends suggested ordering a pizza and settling in for a movie I was happy to oblige.

Bright sports an interesting premise which I have never seen done. What if a great battle (a la Lord of Rings defeating Suaron) took place 2 thousand years ago? How would society play out? How would the people on the losing side be treated afterward? Orc, as usual, chose the wrong side. They’re relegated to the slums and being lower class citizens. Prejudices run high even after all those years. The humans are still the majority with the Elves being the extremely wealthy.

The movie hinges around Will Smith’s character Daryl Ward and his Orc partner Jakoby. Jakoby is the first Orcish police officer and is facing prejudices on both sides.  Daryl is just returning to the force after being injured in the line of duty. The duo responds to a disturbance which is where the action starts. The disturbance turns out to be at a Shield of Light safe house, where they find a young Elvish woman and a legendary magic wand.  Magic wands can only be wielded by a ‘Bright’ and are extremely dangerous. The rest of the movie is a roller coaster ride of twists and turns trying to keep the wand out of the wrong hands.

The film has mixed reviews but I really enjoyed it. It’s an interesting mash up of your standard fantasy and action based cop movies. If you like either of those, you can see it on Netflix at your leisure. Which, let’s be honest, if I can see a movie from the comfort of my couch that’s definitely the way to go.

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JoAd’s Market

This quaint little Amish store is full of goodies. You can find items in bulk and a great selection of supplements. From loose leaf tea and old fashioned candy, to meats and cheeses you’ll be able to find something tasty in here. You can also get local honey and fresh ground peanut butter. In one side of the store they also have Amish made items for your home.

Stockport Mill Inn

If you’re looking for a place to stay you won’t go wrong with the Mill. It got its start as a grist mill and the owner Dottie has kept a lot of that old charm while still maintaining a cozy little bed and breakfast. If you happen to run into her, ask her about the history of the Mill and she’ll show you around. There is a restaurant attached so you don’t have to go far for dinner. Eagles are frequently seen from the dining room and you can watch them catch a fish from the dam if you’re lucky!

Twin City Opera House

Where else can you get a movie ticket, drink and some popcorn for under $10?! They only show one movie at a time so you’ll have to check out the schedule but the atmosphere is fantastic. The Opera House first opened its doors in May of 1892. It was one of the first buildings in the area to be lit by electric. Rich in history, it is said to be haunted and I’ve heard stories of it being used in the Underground Railroad. The inside is beautiful and there’s no place else you can enjoy a $4 movie. Be sure to check out the “Doughboy” on the square.

The Boondocks BBQ and Grill

The Boondocks has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2009. It’s not fancy but it boasts the best barbecue around. If you happen to catch them on the right day I hear they sometimes serve up alligator bites.

The Big Muskie Bucket

This is a local piece of history though it might not look like much. Used in coal mining, it could grab 325 tons of earth in a single swoop. It operated from 1969 -1991. AEP dismantled the Big Muskie in the late 90’s and this bucket is all that remains of the largest dragline ever built.

McConnelsville holds all the small town charm you could handle. There are festivals to check out in warmer weather and the community has been steadily invigorating the area with new things to do. It’s a town rich with history and character. Why not take a short drive and see what McConnelsville has to offer?

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“We always know before the change comes — but we never know what the change will bring.”

Everyone knows the story of Beauty and the Beast. It is, after all, a tale as old as time. A man cursed and a woman who somehow looks past the terrifying visage of the monster to love the man within. This is where the details start to veer off in different directions. The most well-known versions tell of a castle and its inhabitant’s bespelled and cursed, forgotten in time, but what if the reason Beauty headed to the Beast’s castle was revenge? So goes Meagan Spooner’s Hunted.

Yeva is the youngest daughter of a trader. In a risky caravan route, they lose everything and are forced to move back to the little cabin near the woods on the edge of the village. Secretly Yeva is thrilled about not attending boring dinner parties or sitting in on the Baroness’s sewing circle. She once tagged along on her father’s hunting expeditions so it’s back to the life she loved here along the edge of the forest. Her sisters Asenka and Lena however are less thrilled. Soon the three sisters are worried about their father; he comes home with strange tales of beasts watching him from the wood. Convinced there’s something in the forest that’s following him, he sets out to find it. When he doesn’t return Yeva sets out on a search to bring him home.

Set in medieval Russia, Hunted weaves together Russian folklore and Beauty and the Beast deftly. The folklore aspect weaves in so well you don’t realize how important it is it until closer to the end. I very much enjoyed that it’s a bit darker than the traditional lovey dovey retellings. Often the original fairytales we know had much darker origins. Spooner manages to retell it in a way I haven’t seen before while simultaneously staying in the same vein. It’s a YA novel so it wasn’t overly long and it’s a nice book to curl up with on a dreary day. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Don’t be afraid to try something new this holiday season, you might just like it!

Cassie

Whenever I am attending a party during the holidays I like to be festive and a little unique. I try to think outside the box and do things that aren’t so predictable.

For my first look I’m wearing my favorite blanket scarf with a pine colored flounce sleeve top, black jeggings and nude, ruffle heels. This is something I would wear to a casual party with friends. The ruffle heels help elevate the look so that it’s not overly casual.

For my second look, I’m actually wearing my blanket scarf as a kilt-inspired skirt and paired it with the same top as the previous look. I simply draped my scarf and utilized safety pins to keep it intact ( make sure to wear a layer underneath so that you don’t have any wardrobe mishaps). I would wear this to just about any party.

Whenever I go shopping I try to think of different end uses for pieces that I purchase. I pay attention to colors and prints to ensure I can mix and match them with other things that I own. Shopping for holiday parties doesn’t always have to be so stressful. You probably have a lot of garments in your closet that you could wear differently than a previous year. Think creatively and have fun!

Your Faithful Dreamer,

Courtney of Ran.dom.o.sity 7.4.0

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You might be wondering what I’m jabbering on about but those are actually all disc golf terms. It’s scored like golf with a par for each ‘hole’. You’re shooting for a basket with chains, though. The point is to walk away from your 18 holes with a score under par. It’s an easy sport to get into, you don’t need to be athletic, not to mention it’s totally free to play! I’ve seen married couples my grandparent’s age out playing – if they can do it, so can you. All you’ve got to do is grab a few discs and go throw.

You can get discs at The Shire and Play It Again sports in Parkersburg/Vienna. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction as far as good discs go. Once you figure out what you’re doing you can delve deeper into the technical aspects and determine which discs fit your throw style (and what those words mean). You can find beginner discs pretty easy and work your way up from there. There are various weights, flight paths and other details that will affect how your disc flies. There are also multiple ‘walk ups’ and throws you can try. If all that sounds difficult I promise it’s not. The first time I went out I was shown how to hold the disc and that was about it. Once that feels a little more natural, you can work on form and technique. I’m still striving for a consistent under par score but I’m having a blast along the way.

There’s definitely a social aspect to disc golf if you are looking for something you can do with friends. You can play with as many friends as you want or go solo. If you’re new to a course, find someone and ask if you can join up and get shown around. Most people will be happy to oblige and chat while you play a round. I’ve actually done this, it’s a great way to figure out a new, confusing course and meet new friends for the day.

Other than the friendliness of almost everyone I’ve met while playing, what surprised me most is the availability in the area. I had no idea we had so many courses relatively close and countless more scattered around. Veteran’s Memorial Park, OVU, Mountwood Monster, and Broughton’s Big Buckeye are the local courses. Veteran’s is my personal favorite. It offers a nice range of shots and enjoyable scenery. I haven’t been to the course at Mountwood yet but I’ve heard it’s a good one.

If you’re looking for a fun sport to try out I highly recommend going out and slinging some plastic. Everyone I’ve met in the community has been so friendly and helpful. There are multiple groups you can join to play with people on the regular and it’s a very budget friendly sport. So if you have a couple of hours to kill go check out your local course! You don’t have to spend a lot to get started and every course is free to play. You’re guaranteed to have fun and meet some new folks.

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There are some things that are unequivocally ‘Autumn’ things. Drinking cider while carving pumpkins comes to mind as does enjoying that little nip in the air in the morning. Fall is arguably one of the best seasons, and personally my absolute favorite. It’s pleasantly cold unlike winter’s gusty frigid winds and it has just the right touch of warmth in the sunshine. It’s made for cozying up by a bonfire and for long hikes outside to revel in the falling leaves. It also means haunted houses and scary movies. Everyone starts thinking about what the perfect costume would be and decorating for the various holidays that are fast approaching. I’ve got my costume choices narrowed down, but I just can’t seem to make up my mind. My top contenders are Wednesday or Morticia Addams.

If the nippy weather in the mornings doesn’t get you into that spooky Halloween spirit maybe some music can! I’ve compiled a list of my top ten songs to get you there. Some of them are the obvious choices (Thriller is a classic after all) but some of them are a little more interesting. 

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