Tag Archives: Bekah Landers

A&E, Claire DeFrancisci

Where to chill when you cannot get to the ‘Ville

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By Claire DeFrancisci and Bekah Landers

“What are we supposed to do this weekend?” said sophomore Justice Gunter. “With the bridge closed I can’t get to St. Matthew’s [mall] and there isn’t anything to do over here.”

Contrary to the popular belief, there are ways to have fun without dealing with the traffic. From going out to eat, shopping, seeing a movie, and even just getting that downtown feel, the downtown areas of New Albany, Jeffersonville, and Clarksville are filled with plenty of things to do that are not going to be a hair-pulling disaster across Sherman Minton.

Downtown New Albany flourishes with fun activities to do, see, and eat. This weekend discover new things by making a day of exploring the downtown area. Have a brunch or late breakfast at Toast on Market, a common favorite of some students of FC.

Explore the artistic side of New Albany by going to places like the Carnegie Center which offers local history and contemporary art. Open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and admission is free. Have a treat from Rookies Cookies or Patticakes & Pies cafe. End the trip with an afternoon walk by the river or going to The Gallery on Pearl St.

“Shermageddon” is not the end of the world, there are plenty of places to have a good time with friends on this side of the river.

Claire DeFrancisci, Features

The Lanesville Heritage Festival will kick off the fall season this weekend

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By Bekah Landers and Claire Defrancisci

The sound of roaring tractor engines and the sight of whirling fair rides sends one into a flurry of crisp fall memories. This is the Lanesville Heritage Festival.

“I’ve never been there but I’m going this year because the rides sound really fun and I heard that you can milk a goat. That sounds really exciting,” said sophomore Garrett Glass.

The festival offers a wide variety of things to do this year such as helicopter rides on Saturday and Sunday, tractor pulls, the traditional hot air balloon glow, and the main parade on Saturday at 1 p.m. featuring FC’s NJORTC.

“I’m thrilled to be in the parade this year,” said sophomore ROTC member Alessa Farnsley. “We practice after school and warm up before the parade and then we march and represent FC.”

The Lanesville Heritage Festival also offers plenty of camping spaces.

“I’ve been camping there for four years now and it has been really fun,” said sophomore Gunner Turner. He added that he and his cousin go four-wheeling during the day and then ride the rides in the evening.

The rides at the festival are a popular attraction that some teenagers look forward to the most.

“My favorite ride is the ferris wheel that goes upside down and spins around; I ride it every time,” said Turner

“I really like all the rides,” said sophomore Caroline Wiseman. “I could eat an entire thing of nachos and then go and ride the hamster wheel and not be sick.”

The festival is a chance for teens to hang out with their friends, try new foods, check out interesting booths, and ride their preferred rides.

“My favorite memory was the night that I went with my friends, and we all just hung out and had a good time together,” said freshman Zach Robinson.

The festival has something for almost every age. Rides and games for small children, agricultural exhibits and booths with all sorts of different products for adults, and more mature rides for teenagers.

“The little kids hang out with their families, but the older kids tend to go off and do their own thing,” said Robinson.

The festival is located on the Heritage grounds behind Lanesville High School at the west end of town. There will be a shuttle that runs from the high school to the Heritage grounds as well. There will be a tractor and truck pull that runs tonight and Sunday afternoon. The spectator fee is $7. The Hot Air Balloon Glow will be held tonight at 9 p.m. and the main parade is at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.

The three-day festival will be held today, tomorrow, and Sunday with free admission and free parking.

Be sure to check out this article later this weekend for photos of the fun.

Claire DeFrancisci, Features

Highlander Outfitters store aims to dress students in school spirit attire

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By Bekah Landers, Paige Thompson, and Claire Defrancisci

The Highlander Outfitters may be one of the most under-the-radar aspects of FC. Located in the spine, the Highlander Outfitters store is full of merchandise to fulfill students’ school spirit needs.

FC’s business management class, taught by Chris Street, is in very high demand. With a maximum enrollment capacity of 28, Street accepted 35 students into the class. The class, which meets fourth period, operates the store.

“[The class] teaches them how a business operates, how to work with coworkers and classmates. They exhibit a lot of individual personality,” said Street. Being in business management means that students will be getting the hands-on experience of having their own business by working at Highlander Outfitters.

Students working at the store say they are learning real-world skills. “It will prepare someone to be financially capable of owning their own business,” said sophomore Amy McCormick.

Business management is also a way for students to acquire a more in-depth understanding of financing.

“We pretty much sell the merchandise, take inventory, learn about finance and how to handle a business,” said McCormick.

It is evident in the amount of money that the store makes that the students’ hard work is paying off.

“The store makes a lot of revenue. We made $25,000 last year,” said junior Hannah Merk.

Highlander Outfitters sells a variety of merchandise supporting FC. The prices range from a $5 water bottle to a $40 windbreaker.

“Crew neck sweatshirts are my favorite item because they’re cozy and don’t choke you,” said McCormick.

The Outfitters store offers sweatshirts, sweatpants, T-shirts, crew neck shirts, hoodies, jackets, polos, and much more. In the upcoming weeks the Outfitters store may also offer a new drawstring backpack.

Although the final decision is made by Street, student input on designs is highly important. Street said they try to offer new products every semester.

“There isn’t a lot of advertising going on; we attend all sporting events and extracurricular activities to get the products out there as much as possible,” said Street.

Students, parents, and faculty interested in merchandise can stop by the Highlander Outfitters every Thursday and Friday during lunch and at all sporting events. In addition, Street said the Highlander Outfitters will soon be on Facebook as well.