Blog #1

The Farm

My great grandfather sowing wheat 1938

What comes to mind when you think about a farm? A typical farmer in coveralls, with a few cows and chickens? Or simply someone driving a tractor down the road? Well modern day farming is more modernized and is ever changing. The Bardall’s has been farming since 1922 when my great-grandfather bought a piece of property in Harrison County in a little town called Freeport. To some this ground might seem like dirt, but to me this ground is a legacy. My family farm to me is more than just a place, it is a home and a  livelihood.

The farm 2017

Four generations later, I am farming the same ground my family has, and it has never made me more proud. There are certain ties you have to something when it runs in your blood and has been in your family for almost a century. Growing up working on this land and eventually farming along side my grandfather and father, it instills a certain feeling in you that cannot be removed. Someone who doesn't have rural roots might just think, it's just some old farm in the middle of nowhere, but to me it is the place that has made me who I am today.

Farming is the biggest part of my families life, as it runs in our blood, along with having a little community so-to-speak. I mean there's two thousand pigs and a hundred cows all here to keep you company! There are many friends that are there socializing and you become family with someone who is just a hired hand.

My 2nd corn crop, The tallest corn i've ever had, 13 feet

Blog Post 1 - Quaker Cinema

                As a citizen of New Philadelphia, I’ve walked and drove around town. I don’t necessarily see what is going on in my community. I just know where the places are and how to get there. New Philadelphia is a peculiar town because it has been the home to multiple new creations including the Quaker Cinema. The Quaker Cinema was never anything special in my eyes. It was just a plain looking cinema that wasn’t special, yet it had its history etched in the walls.

 

Quaker Cinema 1940

            Quaker Cinema first opened its doors November 1, 1940. During this time, the Quaker had bright “retro” lights that would light up the night and donned colors of red, green and yellow. It let us know that it was there, featuring a movie. Coming inside, you would pass through the double doors with half circles on each panel. Inside, you had the one-room movie theater with 800 seats! This would later turn into a two-room movie theater in the 1980’s. 

 

In 1997 the Quaker has an almost white look on the outside with two big signs that say “Quaker” on the overhead. In the middle of the overhead, it would have a list of the movies they would play. It wouldn’t be until 2014 when the new owners would bring back the retro look once again, but with the modernized technology in the movie screens. After the new renovation you can purchase your tickets outside right beside the door. Inside, you walk in and the aroma of popcorn hits you. You have a concession stand that is filled with candy, a pop machine on the left and a popcorn machine on the right. You then can either go to the right or the left to view the movie of your choice. Inside the rooms, there is a giant screen that is at the front of the room and seats that fold down.

            The Quaker Cinema has been a long-standing business in New Philadelphia. It has allowed families to see the next big movie at an affordable cost and stay close to home. The Quaker shows the history by hanging posters along the walls with some of the more famous movies that they showed. After more than 70 years of business and two renovations, the Quaker is still standing strong.

Blog #1

Atwood Lake

Atwood Lake accommodates people of all shapes and sizes, with activities such as boating, swimming and bistro dinning. Atwood Lake covers over one thousand acres of water and nearly three thousand acres of land surrounding said water. The lake is in both Tuscarawas and Carroll counties, just between New Cumberland and Dellroy. Because of its large size and beautiful scenery, Atwood has become one of the top sailing and boating attractions in the state. The lake was constructed in during the 1930s for water conservation and a solution to flooding problems. Now, managed by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, the lake is a great recreational attraction with so many things to do. 

It’s a great place to go read a book, take your afternoon nap and catch some rays in the summer. Although, Atwood Lake isn’t an all year attraction, the joy it brings to people is really something else. I like that I can go there to relax in my hammock or drop anchor at the boater’s beach and play drinking games with the other boaters. And I can’t think of a better way to end a long day of boating in the hot sun then with some ice cream from the Atwood Dairy Bar on state route 212.

http://www.ohio.org/destination/rv-parks-campgrounds/atwood-lake-park-and-campground

The New Towne Mall

Image by Yelp

What comes to mind when you hear the word "mall"? It's where you go to pick out new clothes, new shoes, jewelry, accessories, food, and some go there for tattoos. Opening in 1988, New Towne Mall has been a part of this community for a long time. It currently has around fifty unique stores, although some have come and gone like Yankee Candle, Hot Topic, Debs, the movie theater, etc. When I was younger, one of my favorite places to shop was Debs. I even got my first homecoming dress from there!

I live in Coshocton County so it's right beside Tuscarawas County where the mall is located. It has a convenient location and is so close to my home. The New Towne Mall is located in New Philadelphia off of state route 250, and it is open 10am to 9pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday.

The Mall is such a great place to not only shop but to also socialize with friends and family. Moms and dads go there with their kids to shop for clothes and shoes, spending a lot of time with each other. I have been to this mall numerous times ever since I could remember. When I was younger, my parents would take me and my little sister there to go shopping for school clothes and new shoes. We would always eat in the food court afterwards. I also enjoyed the indoor blue tiled water fountain near the food court. People would toss change into it. I would beg my dad for the spare change in his pocket, and I would make a wish and toss it into the water. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I made so many memories there not only with my family but with my friends also. My friends and I would get together and have a day for just shopping.

Image by Yelp

During Christmas, they bring in Santa Claus for children to come see him. The children have an opportunity to sit on his lap and tell them what they would like for Christmas, and the children can also get their picture taken with him as well. Not only do people get to make memories there, but it also brings the community together.

                                                                                                                                               

Blog #1

Tuscarawas County Courthouse




http://www.co.tuscarawas.oh.us

Most of us grew up in a small town so we all know what a small town is like.

We all have something in the town that will hold a special place in our hearts.

The Courthouse is not a place where many people just like to go. Most of the people just drive by it because it is located in what they call the “Times Square” where there is a lot of traffic. For those of you who don’t know where that is the address is 125 East High Avenue in New Philadelphia.

The Courthouse was constructed by Thomas Boyd in 1882 in the Classical Revival style. An expansion was added in 1990 to alleviate the needs of a growing population and it blends in with the older structure. It has been around for quite some time.

The Courthouse is always decorated in what holiday is going on which I think is pretty cool. It has statues around it. A big clock in the center at the top and many windows and doors as well as a long trail of stairs going into the courthouse.

Many people go to the Courthouse for various reasons. You can get marriage license, adopted, jury rooms for trials, divorce attorneys, and much more.

When I was little I went to the Courthouse. I was getting adopted by my mother's husband which was my step dad at the time. My biological dad didn’t want anything to do with me so I made a choice to go to the Courthouse to get adopted by who is now my dad. I will never regret my decision.

I went to the Courthouse about a year ago with my government class to sit on two trials.

It was very entertaining.

The Courthouse will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Blog #1

Daily Grind Café Coffee Shop

The experience of the Daily Grind coffee shop is like no other here in New Philadelphia, Ohio. The typical coffee shop is quiet, serious with modern day décor but the Daily Grind is fun and exciting. When walking into this coffee shop your eyes go straight to the red paint walls, next your hit with the smell of hot fresh brewed coffee and the sweet smell of baked goods. The sound of this coffee shop is a mixture of conservation and laughter. In the Summer the front of the building is aligned with tables for outside enjoyment. Some Friday nights they even have bands come in and play. Not your typical quiet coffee shop!

        There are many unique aspects to the Daily Grind uses chalkboards to display their menu items. As you walk in the and as your ordering there is racks of syrups and many coffees and teas. The seating is no two tables the same with mix matched chairs and couches for long term comfort. To the left of your ordering area is the original bar that still stands for the original business Aberths Bakery. Vintage signs hung throughout.

   The Daily Grind is important to Tuscarawas since 1995 for many reasons. The biggest reason I feel it’s important for our community is that it’s a successful maw and paw business locally owned here in New Philadelphia.  Its locals being able to support other locals. The Daily Grind gives back to the community; they provide coffee for us Kent Tuscarawas students. This coffee shop is a nice place for business meetings, college students to study and young kids to hang out after school.

Blog 1: ALC

The Kent Tusc library officially known as the Academic Learning Commons is a wonderful resource for my peers here at school and the peers in my community. It is located at the heart of the campus. When you walk in the double door entrance the first thing you’ll see are yellow and blueish grey walls. The smell of coffee station strategically located near the entrance of the library immediately sparks your curiosity and draws you in. Once you’re done getting your hot chocolate or coffee you’ll start to notice a hum. The hum of people talking, machines working, and people typing as they all try to accomplish something. You can come here to hang out and to talk but you can also come here to get work done at the many computer stations we have.

Cherie Bronkar is the head of the library. She can tell you how to find a book or where to get a medical journal without batting an eye. The campus is publically owned and anyone from the community can come here. The library is very important to me because I work here and it’s almost like a second home. I’ve grown very close to all of my coworkers and we’re always helping each other.I feel like the library is important to what it means to live here because it’s kind of the place to be. Not that everyone wants to spend all their free time here on campus but some of my peers and I  basically live here.