Monthly Archives: January 2016

Editorials

Winter break activities one should not miss

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A time to relax and enjoy the company of your friends and family has finally come.

To get the most out of one’s winter break, here are some of my favorite things to do over the holidays.

One place I make sure I go every year is Castle Noel. Castle Noel is located 260 South Court St., Medina, OH 44256, and it is America’s largest indoor Christmas entertainment attraction. There are original Hollywood Christmas movie props and costumes from “The Grinch,” “Elf,” and “Christmas with the Kranks.” Castle Noel costs $16 per person and children under three can get in free of cost. It is a wonderful family environment, making it a great place to take your kids.

Another great place to wander if you are feeling bored is the Glow at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Their address is 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106. Glow transports you to a world full of seasonal cheer, where all-new wonders and returning traditions await you. Whimsical train ride, musicians and carolers, decorate a gingerbread house, decorated trees, holiday shopping, and more. If you are a member of the Cleveland Botanical Gardens your admission is free, and other than that an adult ticket costs 16$ and a child costs 12$.

Last but not least is one of my favorite family traditions. Every year my family goes to Sleigh & Carriage Rides at Ma & Pa’s. It is located in Burton, Ohio. It is open every winter all season long. Ma and Pa hitch up the sleighs and take you out through the woods and out in the field and then back to the cabin for a warm fire. Ma’s homemade bakery, hot chocolate and maple coffee is one you cannot miss. Reservations are required so make sure you call ahead. Sleigh Rides run Saturday and Sunday and some weekdays all winter long. If there is no snow, no need to worry. Ma & Pa have a sleigh that can operate without snow.

Lifestyle

Drives should prepare for the winter season

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By Alexia Ostrander

Although there has not been any snow or ice so far this winter, drivers should know how to handle situations in this type of weather condition.

Especially to new drivers, winter can be a very dangerous time of the year. It pays to make sure drivers prepare and plan for the snow and weather conditions.

Having reliable transportation is important to ensure a safer ride to and from a destination. A car should not only be in top operating condition all year round, but it is especially important that a car is “winterized” to avoid any unpleasant or dangerous situations while traveling in frigid weather.

Drivers should make sure that all parts of the car function properly. Some of these include the car’s ignition system, brakes, defroster, battery and lights.

Making sure the gas tank does not get low is another important aspect to driving in cold weather.

Although having a phone out while driving is not permitted, having a cell phone in the car is useful if there should be an accident.

Keeping winter supplies which can assist in case of an emergency is also helpful. A car can easily be equipped with essential gear needed for winter driving. In case a car get into an accident or is stuck at the side of the road, one should keep booster cables, blankets, hats, gloves, snow shovel/scraper, flashlight, flares/reflectors, extra windshield fluid/antifreeze and something for traction in the car.

Drivers should also learn safe driving tips to ensure a lower accident risk. Being prepared for the winter weather that will soon come is important to make sure that everyone stays safe on the road.

    

Sports Opinion

Ohio State to face Notre Dame

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By Anthony Chmielewski

Bowl season has arrived in college football and that means throughout late December there will be a full slate of games to watch. Ohio State, who is ranked 7th, will face off against one of the most prestigious football programs, Notre Dame, on Jan. 1 in the Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl.

While Ohio State certainly had its sights set on the crashing the college football playoff two years in a row, playing in the Fiesta Bowl is not too much of a letdown. Although the Buckeyes wanted to make the playoff, they only have themselves to blame as they lost their biggest game of the year against Michigan State with a lackluster performance.

“We did this to ourselves type of deal. We beat Michigan State, then the Team Up North, we’re not even having this conversation, you know what I’m saying?” Quarterback J.T. Barrett said according to Cleveland.com.

Ohio State has a tough task trying to defeat Notre Dame who currently sits one spot behind the Buckeyes in the rankings. Head coach Urban Meyer seems to always prepare his teams for the big games as he did last year in the playoff when the underdog Buckeyes knocked off both Alabama and Oregon.

One of the toughest things for the Buckeyes to do is stay focused while preparing for the game as it seems half the team is ready to go to the NFL. The players already have a national championship on their resume, and may have their focus on preparing for the draft rather than the Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio State will have a very good chance of winning if they fall back on what they do best which is running the ball with one of the best NFL prospects, Ezekiel Elliott. The one game the Buckeyes lost was in large due to the fact Elliott only had twelve carries which is unacceptable for someone so talented. Elliott and his teammates believed he was snubbed from the Heisman trophy won by Alabama running back Derrick Henry. One should expect a big game from Elliott as he tries to prove the doubters wrong in what will be his last game in a Buckeye uniform.

The Buckeyes’ defense will also have to step it up a notch against the very good offensive line from Notre Dame. Ohio State defensive lineman Adolphus Washington has been suspended for the bowl game meaning players like star defensive back Joey Bosa will need to have a big game.

Overall, one can expect an enjoyable, hard fought game as both teams will try to prove the playoff committee made a mistake not picking them. It will likely be an emotional game for some players from both teams will be headed to the draft or graduating after their last game with their respective teams.

On New Year’s day and throughout late December and early January, there will be many fun and enjoyable matchups to watch this year as bowl season is finally here.

Front/Home

Ancient New Year’s traditions still in effect today

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By Mya Cannon

At the start of each year people all over the world make promises to themselves that they will do something to better themselves in some way during the new year.

Historians believe New Year’s resolutions have been around for almost 4,000 years and were first created by the Babylonians. 

At the beginning of each year, the Babylonians would make promises to their gods that they would pay off the debts they owed and would return anything that they borrowed to its rightful owner.

The new year began in March for them because that is when spring starts so they would start planting their crops around that time.

According to Ancient History of New Year’s Resolutions, only 12 percent of people today actually carry out and succeed with their New Year’s resolutions even though 58 percent of people thought they would succeed in completing their New Year’s resolution.

The Babylonians had a stronger will to succeed in their resolutions than people do today because they believed if they completed it the gods would grant them a good year, but if they did not complete their resolutions the gods would not grant them with a good year.

The Babylonians called the 12 days when they planted their crops “Akitu,” and they had to return the things they borrowed within those 12 days.

Hundreds of years later, the Romans moved the new year from March to January.

January is named after the two faced god Janus who is said to look backwards into the past year and look forward into the upcoming year. The Romans also believed that Janus was the protector of endings and beginnings.

The Romans often made resolutions that revolved around being good to others much like the resolutions people make today.

Today people celebrate the new year on January first, just like the Romans did, and make resolutions that will better themselves and their way of living.

While there is not a direct known link to New Year’s resolutions from the past and the New Year’s resolutions made today, it is believed that past has played a role in today’s traditions.