Try something new with something old

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, it seems everywhere you go there are big red barns with giant signs saying “Antiques.” Sometimes antiques are sold at flea markets, or special antique events around the area, but have you ever actually stopped in one?

Of course, at some point in our lives we're all dragged into an antique shop by our parents or grandparents whether we’re 12 or 25 years old, and it seems like the longest day of our lives. However, I would argue if you walked into an antique store by yourself sometime, by your own free will, you’d be pleasantly surprised at the amount of things you find interesting.

It was on one of these “dreadful” outings with my Gram that I began a collection of 1973 Looney Tunes glasses. I always loved Looney Tunes as a kid, and searching for them kept me occupied while antiquing.

They aren’t particularly rare, but they're fun to track down, and it’s a relatively cheap hobby for me. Finding something to collect while you’re antiquing can make it much more interesting.

I know that as “broke college kids,” or soon-to-be “broke college graduates,” we need all the help we can get financially. When it comes to decorating a dorm room, apartment or a new house, sometimes antiques are the cheapest options.

You can ask anyone who watches HGTV, the rustic look is in. Just about anything you would find in an antique shop could be used to decorate a space. There are also plenty of different eras and styles of antiques. You could go for the old, rickety barn look, or maybe look for some more refined vintage pieces.

Many times, the decoration isn’t necessarily meant to be decorative, but it can no longer serve its actual purpose, such as old wheels, unstable rocking chairs, or chipping glassware. It’s fun to find an item you like and come up with a new way to repurpose it.

Some things you find are still completely usable, typically kitchenware. Cast-iron and enamel pots and pans are a dime a dozen at antique shops, and still have a lot of years of use left in them. Buying a cheap set of pots and pans from Walmart is fine, but if you want something with some history and character, go antiquing.

For example, every time I go to my grandparents’ house, my Grandpa makes buttermilk pancakes on a cast-iron skillet. I’ll have to invest in one soon so I can make them the same way, because they just don’t turn out the same in a nonstick pan.

The moral of the story is: go antiquing. Try something new with something old. You don’t have to do things the same way as your grandparents, but antiques are treasures that never lose their value, even when they’re broken. Make your space your own by repurposing old things.

P.S. Despite what Grandma says, the fine china isn’t only for decoration, you can use that too.

— Dallas Kriebel, senior mass communications major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou

Wait, you’ve never seen a waterfall?

This past summer I worked at a camp where I met a college student from Illinois. Somehow through conversation I found out she had never seen a waterfall. That’s when I decided we’re going to Ricketts Glen.

Ricketts Glen State Park is a not-so-hidden gem in our own backyard. It’s located about 45 minutes north of Bloomsburg and is full of fun (and free!) activities.

I’ve probably hiked all or most of the 7.2-mile Falls Trail System at least 25 times in my life, and my family visits Lake Jean at least once a year to go kayaking. Hiking at Ricketts Glen is my favorite thing to do. If I’m planning on walking slowly, I make sure to bring my camera along to take some beautiful nature shots.

Ricketts Glen is mostly known for its 26 miles of hiking trails, especially the Falls Trail System — home to 22 waterfalls on a 7.2-mile loop. There are multiple places to begin and end, and you don’t have to hike the whole thing if you don’t want to.

The waterfalls on the Falls Trail range in size from 11-feet-tall, to the monstrous 94-foot Ganoga waterfall. I love seeing the look on people’s faces when I take them hiking for the first time.

The whole time they ask, “Is that the big waterfall?”

I always reply, “You’ll know when we get to it.”

Photos never quite do it justice, either.

Autumn is one of the best times of year to visit Ricketts Glen, because it boasts some beautiful foliage when the leaves start to turn. According to some reports, this year could be one of the best seasons for it!

This year, I found most colorful leaves at Ricketts Glen were on the trails and near the Western Boat Launch of Lake Jean. During the summer though, Lake Jean is definitely the place to be.

There are multiple cabins and campsites, and a beach for those who can’t make it to the ocean over summer vacation. The beach has sand, water and a lifeguard. The only difference between Lake Jean and the Jersey Shore is a boardwalk!

From Memorial Day until Labor Day there is a concession stand and rental station where you can rent boats, kayaks, paddle-boats and canoes. The cabins and campsites are open most of the year, and the lake is open year-round to those with their own boats to go boating or fishing.

Like I said, the park is open year-round. However, hike at your own risk!

The Falls Trail System is the most difficult trail in the park and can lead to serious injury if you’re not careful. Another thing to note is no cell phone service in the park. If you get injured, calling 911 should still work, however it will take responders quite a bit of time to reach your location since there is a lack of access roads for vehicles and ATVs.

— Dallas Kriebel, senior mass communications major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou

A local Husky’s guide to the Bloomsburg Fair

We're fast approaching an annual milestone that molds our university culture with those in the rural realm around us. Each year, people come together for a week from far and wide in the only town in Pennsylvania to celebrate: the Bloomsburg Fair!

I’m from the small town of Benton, about 20 miles north of Bloomsburg. The fair is a huge attraction for us rural neighbors, mainly because you have to drive to Bloomsburg to do anything exciting in the first place. Also, because the surrounding high schools have the whole week off for the fair. If you have never been to "The Fair," I implore you to try it out! Especially if you’re a fan of greasy, fried comfort food on a stick.

Animal lovers have their place at the fair too. There are plenty of barns where you can check out horses, goats, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits, and even dogs (if you’re willing to pay a small fee). If you have an interest in antiques, gardening, or art, you should check out the four large, brick exhibit buildings located parallel to the sky ride. The best shopping and knick-knacks are located under the grandstand.

Of course, those aren’t the only attractions at the Bloomsburg Fair. There’s also the area around the track that houses all the carnival games you loved to play as a kid.

Have $10 and some serious carnival skill?

You might just win your significant other the most ginormous teddy bear ever. Or if you’re lacking in the skill department, you could win a keychain … I guess that’s nice too.

If you want an adrenaline rush, try out the carnival rides! The adrenaline comes from the ride, but also from the knowledge that it could (jokingly) break at any second. They are also mostly located at the far end of the track. In all seriousness, the rides are extremely safe, because they have to be inspected so many times for only one week of operation.

The food ... I mean, the food!

The food at the Bloomsburg Fair is possibly its biggest attraction. The food may seem very uniform, but every stand has a specialty, and a group of customers it attracts. Sure, there are TONS of fried food, but there are other delicious options that aren’t batter dipped and fried in oil. There are an abundance of stands selling cheesesteaks, gyros, pizzas, calzones, seafood, and some things you’ve never even heard of.

A few years ago I bought a foot-long hotdog with macaroni and cheese as a topping. There’s a stand where you can purchase a turkey leg. You read that right, you can walk around looking like a Viking. There are also some places that have more of a restaurant atmosphere where you can sit down and eat. Places like these usually have some of the best desserts.

Did you say dessert?

Yes, there are so many choices. There are the typical ice cream stands, and the not-so-typical Penn State Berkey Creamery stand (AKA the most delicious, non-homemade ice cream ever). The fair is also during peak apple season, so apple dumplings are a necessity and are available all over the fair. Another one of my favorites are flavored honey sticks. They’re basically like pixie sticks, but with dozens of different flavors of honey. There are multiple stands with taffy and other candies as well.

As if food and desserts weren’t enough, there are also some great beverages available at the fair. Kohr’s orange juice stands are everywhere, and it’s unlike any orange juice you’ve ever had. There are also multiple local cider mill stands where you can get delicious apple cider. Big Ben’s sodas (blue birch beer in particular) are also very yummy.

Last but not least ... the entertainment

No, I don’t mean people watching, although that has its entertaining moments as well.

There's a free stage located near the main entrance, where plenty of bands, musicians, and performing artists play from mid-morning until the fair closes each night. Marching bands also perform at different times throughout the week.

This year there are eight musicians and performing artists at the grandstand — ahem, Cole Swindell and Brett Eldredge to name two — and there’s also the always competitive tractor and truck pull and the popular, entertaining demolition derby.

Grandstand entertainment requires a ticket, which can be bought on the fair’s website. Got my ticket for Tuesday night and already itching to get there early, so maybe you'll see me down there!

— Dallas Kriebel, senior mass communications major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou