Plenty of new music releases through August and September
By: Hugh Prentice
This August and September were great months for music. The Fratellis released a new album called Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied on August 21st and Atlas Genius released their new album, Inanimate Objects and Foals released their new record What Went Down, both released on August 28th. In September Telekinesis released some new material in the form of their album Ad Infinitum and Darwin Deez with their album Double Down, both released on September 18th.
After an overload of new music in that short amount of time I had to take time to sit down and go through each of the albums to get a sense for what they were about.
With The Fratellis’ new album it starts off strong with Me and the Devil, which is reminiscent of their older releases, a waltzy rock song that kicks things off well. The Fratellis have always had a sort of 50’s rock and roll feel to their music and that feeling isn’t lost on this new album. The only thing I can really pick up on is a slight presence of synthesizers that was absent on their earlier records, giving things a more electric feel.
Atlas Genius’ new record almost feels more explosive than their first release When It Was Now; the instruments seem louder and the synthesizers sound as if they are pushing harder. Songs like Molecules show off the synthesizers in an enjoyable way, they build a beat that resembles that of a 90’s boom-bap record. The song that most stands out to me on the album is Stockholm; it has a sound that I wouldn’t have thought would have come from Atlas Genius, the guitars are pushed into the back more as synths and drum beats take the forefront, and I like the change.
Foals have always had a sort of melancholy sound with their music, but with their new album they seem to be breaking away from it. With one of the first singles released off of the album, Mountain At My Gates, they have a much more upbeat, louder presence on the track. The song could almost count as something you could listen to while working out and needing a push, which is something I never thought I would say about a Foals song. Overall the album has a much brighter soul and I enjoy the direction the band is taking.
Once I started seeing that Telekinesis was releasing new tracks I was pleasantly surprised with their first single Sleep In, a sleepy track that definitely took charge with synths and drums seemingly ditching the guitars from earlier albums. The whole album has seemed to take a synth-ier approach and doesn’t rely as much on the strings and physical drum kits as much as the band used to, which is a stark difference that takes some getting used to, but overall it’s a solid record.
Finally, with Darwin Deez’s new release Double Down, the band shows a bit more strength as a band, the guitars sound tighter, the drums louder, and the vocals sound great. The whole sound just feels like it mixes better than before, the lyrics are warmer in a way, overall the album just feels more improved than earlier albums.
-Hugh Prentice ('16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Opinions Editor. [email protected]
By: Hugh Prentice
This August and September were great months for music. The Fratellis released a new album called Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied on August 21st and Atlas Genius released their new album, Inanimate Objects and Foals released their new record What Went Down, both released on August 28th. In September Telekinesis released some new material in the form of their album Ad Infinitum and Darwin Deez with their album Double Down, both released on September 18th.
After an overload of new music in that short amount of time I had to take time to sit down and go through each of the albums to get a sense for what they were about.
With The Fratellis’ new album it starts off strong with Me and the Devil, which is reminiscent of their older releases, a waltzy rock song that kicks things off well. The Fratellis have always had a sort of 50’s rock and roll feel to their music and that feeling isn’t lost on this new album. The only thing I can really pick up on is a slight presence of synthesizers that was absent on their earlier records, giving things a more electric feel.
Atlas Genius’ new record almost feels more explosive than their first release When It Was Now; the instruments seem louder and the synthesizers sound as if they are pushing harder. Songs like Molecules show off the synthesizers in an enjoyable way, they build a beat that resembles that of a 90’s boom-bap record. The song that most stands out to me on the album is Stockholm; it has a sound that I wouldn’t have thought would have come from Atlas Genius, the guitars are pushed into the back more as synths and drum beats take the forefront, and I like the change.
Foals have always had a sort of melancholy sound with their music, but with their new album they seem to be breaking away from it. With one of the first singles released off of the album, Mountain At My Gates, they have a much more upbeat, louder presence on the track. The song could almost count as something you could listen to while working out and needing a push, which is something I never thought I would say about a Foals song. Overall the album has a much brighter soul and I enjoy the direction the band is taking.
Once I started seeing that Telekinesis was releasing new tracks I was pleasantly surprised with their first single Sleep In, a sleepy track that definitely took charge with synths and drums seemingly ditching the guitars from earlier albums. The whole album has seemed to take a synth-ier approach and doesn’t rely as much on the strings and physical drum kits as much as the band used to, which is a stark difference that takes some getting used to, but overall it’s a solid record.
Finally, with Darwin Deez’s new release Double Down, the band shows a bit more strength as a band, the guitars sound tighter, the drums louder, and the vocals sound great. The whole sound just feels like it mixes better than before, the lyrics are warmer in a way, overall the album just feels more improved than earlier albums.
-Hugh Prentice ('16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Opinions Editor. [email protected]
College course brings Greek myths to life
By: Kaycee Campbell
NORTHRIDGE – Anyone interested in myths should definitely consider taking Greek Mythology offered here at the Ridge through Columbus State Community College (CSCC) and College Credit Plus.
Taught by Dr. Judith Dann, a CSCC professor, teaches the course second period every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The semester class counts as a one year-long high school credit.
I find this class highly intriguing and fascinating. Each day is filled with many new myths, surprises and interesting facts.
Dann is always a fun, upbeat and a cheerful person; she really takes learning to another level, and keeps students engaged. What could be better than an instructor who is always happy and excited to teach? Or one that throws birthday parties “for” Ancient Greeks and brings in “Happy Birthday” banners, cookies and candy? There are always new and exciting surprises in the course, but you’ll just have to take it to find out for yourself.
Dann loves it, too. “I am so excited on the days I am able to come to Northridge and teach,” she said. “It’s great that I am able to offer the course here. The students are amazing and are always thrilled to learn.”
The course has work, obviously. It starts out with reading a part of The Poems of Hesiod and taking an in depth look into the meaning behind each poem. Those poems were mainly about the myths carried on by oral reading sessions (kind of like going to watch a local band play, but storytelling instead). These myths to the Greeks were basically their way of giving meaning to everything, the way the Bible does for Christians, etc.
We’re currently reading/ almost finished with The Odyssey and learning about Odysseus’ journey back home to Ithaka from the Trojan War. The Odyssey talks about the struggles he and his men faced on the long (obviously no cars or planes during Greek Civilization, only boats) trip home. Each section of the reading is followed by four to six questions and a quiz most Fridays. The course may seem like a lot of reading/ question answering, but Dann only has students read certain lines from each book (chapter); the book is also very fun/ different than most things you’d typically read.
I personally really enjoy the classical mythology course, along with many others! “I would strongly recommend this class, even if you know nothing about The Greeks or Mythology. It’s fun and exciting every day; I’d give a big thumbs up to the course,” says student Hugh Prentice (‘16) The course is different from anything else offered here at Northridge. It is also free to take here at Northridge, so you may want to take it while you have the chance (as opposed to paying for it in college). So if you’re into Classical Mythology or are just curious, sign up for next semester.\
-Kaycee Campbell (’17) is a second-year Vault staff member and Public Relations Manager. [email protected]
By: Kaycee Campbell
NORTHRIDGE – Anyone interested in myths should definitely consider taking Greek Mythology offered here at the Ridge through Columbus State Community College (CSCC) and College Credit Plus.
Taught by Dr. Judith Dann, a CSCC professor, teaches the course second period every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The semester class counts as a one year-long high school credit.
I find this class highly intriguing and fascinating. Each day is filled with many new myths, surprises and interesting facts.
Dann is always a fun, upbeat and a cheerful person; she really takes learning to another level, and keeps students engaged. What could be better than an instructor who is always happy and excited to teach? Or one that throws birthday parties “for” Ancient Greeks and brings in “Happy Birthday” banners, cookies and candy? There are always new and exciting surprises in the course, but you’ll just have to take it to find out for yourself.
Dann loves it, too. “I am so excited on the days I am able to come to Northridge and teach,” she said. “It’s great that I am able to offer the course here. The students are amazing and are always thrilled to learn.”
The course has work, obviously. It starts out with reading a part of The Poems of Hesiod and taking an in depth look into the meaning behind each poem. Those poems were mainly about the myths carried on by oral reading sessions (kind of like going to watch a local band play, but storytelling instead). These myths to the Greeks were basically their way of giving meaning to everything, the way the Bible does for Christians, etc.
We’re currently reading/ almost finished with The Odyssey and learning about Odysseus’ journey back home to Ithaka from the Trojan War. The Odyssey talks about the struggles he and his men faced on the long (obviously no cars or planes during Greek Civilization, only boats) trip home. Each section of the reading is followed by four to six questions and a quiz most Fridays. The course may seem like a lot of reading/ question answering, but Dann only has students read certain lines from each book (chapter); the book is also very fun/ different than most things you’d typically read.
I personally really enjoy the classical mythology course, along with many others! “I would strongly recommend this class, even if you know nothing about The Greeks or Mythology. It’s fun and exciting every day; I’d give a big thumbs up to the course,” says student Hugh Prentice (‘16) The course is different from anything else offered here at Northridge. It is also free to take here at Northridge, so you may want to take it while you have the chance (as opposed to paying for it in college). So if you’re into Classical Mythology or are just curious, sign up for next semester.\
-Kaycee Campbell (’17) is a second-year Vault staff member and Public Relations Manager. [email protected]
Keurig gone wrong for Vault staff
By: Jamie Swickard
When picturing a Keurig coffee maker, many think of a nicely dressed woman making her morning cup of brew by simply pressing a button while reading her newspaper. This, however, is not how using the Keurig turned out for the Viking Vault staff.
I cringe when I hear the words coming from Kyle Stermer’s (‘16) mouth, “Ouch, that hurts! Ouch that hurts, too!” The words bring back vivid memories of water spewing out of the Keurig uncontrollably in every direction, missing the cup intended to be filled with the delicious coffee.
When making coffee from a Keurig, one thinks of her cup being filled perfectly to the rim with just enough room for the drink to sway a little as they walk. Instead, our staff had what we call “the overflow cup”; this was used to keep the original cup of coffee from overflowing. Two people would stand next to the Keurig. One would pull the cup being filled with coffee away as it began to get close to overflowing, while the other person would quickly replace the cup with another one to stop the brewed coffee from pouring on to the floor.
When asked about the overflow cups, Hugh Prentice (‘16) said, “I still get the chills when I think of those cups. Some bad first-degrees were made during those battles.”
Finally, one may fantasize about perfectly warm coffee that just slides down the back of one’s throat as they taste the bitter goodness. By this point, if you think that is what happened for the staff, you’ve got some bad guessing skills.
On Keurig commercials, the people make setting the temperature of the drink look so easy. However, in Room 116 sixth period, setting the temperature of the drink was never really possible. Megan Dalton (‘16) said, “I had to wait at least ten minutes before being able to drink the coffee because it was so stinking hot! Every day I would convince myself that it wouldn’t be as hot as the day before and try it, but it always ended with me burning my tongue.”
Currently, the Keurig is under repair as another problem has arose that is unfixable for the Vault staff. Updates on the status of the Keurig will be coming soon.
In the end, what seemed to be a nice gesture by Savannah Legg (‘16), who brought in the Keurig for the class, turned into a disaster full of burns; yet, it also brought the class together as a whole, making memories that are more than warm (they are, in fact, excruciatingly hot). And for that, we will always be grateful.
-Jamie Swickard (’16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Web Editor-In-Chief. [email protected]
By: Jamie Swickard
When picturing a Keurig coffee maker, many think of a nicely dressed woman making her morning cup of brew by simply pressing a button while reading her newspaper. This, however, is not how using the Keurig turned out for the Viking Vault staff.
I cringe when I hear the words coming from Kyle Stermer’s (‘16) mouth, “Ouch, that hurts! Ouch that hurts, too!” The words bring back vivid memories of water spewing out of the Keurig uncontrollably in every direction, missing the cup intended to be filled with the delicious coffee.
When making coffee from a Keurig, one thinks of her cup being filled perfectly to the rim with just enough room for the drink to sway a little as they walk. Instead, our staff had what we call “the overflow cup”; this was used to keep the original cup of coffee from overflowing. Two people would stand next to the Keurig. One would pull the cup being filled with coffee away as it began to get close to overflowing, while the other person would quickly replace the cup with another one to stop the brewed coffee from pouring on to the floor.
When asked about the overflow cups, Hugh Prentice (‘16) said, “I still get the chills when I think of those cups. Some bad first-degrees were made during those battles.”
Finally, one may fantasize about perfectly warm coffee that just slides down the back of one’s throat as they taste the bitter goodness. By this point, if you think that is what happened for the staff, you’ve got some bad guessing skills.
On Keurig commercials, the people make setting the temperature of the drink look so easy. However, in Room 116 sixth period, setting the temperature of the drink was never really possible. Megan Dalton (‘16) said, “I had to wait at least ten minutes before being able to drink the coffee because it was so stinking hot! Every day I would convince myself that it wouldn’t be as hot as the day before and try it, but it always ended with me burning my tongue.”
Currently, the Keurig is under repair as another problem has arose that is unfixable for the Vault staff. Updates on the status of the Keurig will be coming soon.
In the end, what seemed to be a nice gesture by Savannah Legg (‘16), who brought in the Keurig for the class, turned into a disaster full of burns; yet, it also brought the class together as a whole, making memories that are more than warm (they are, in fact, excruciatingly hot). And for that, we will always be grateful.
-Jamie Swickard (’16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Web Editor-In-Chief. [email protected]
Costume tips for a happy Halloween
By: Savannah Legg
NORTHRIDGE – There are several things to consider when deciding what to dress up as for Halloween.
One of the most important is the occasion/audience. For example, if you plan on walking around the sidewalks of Alexandria on the night of trick-or-treat, your first costume choice probably shouldn’t be something revealing, ladies. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I really don’t want my grandma and little brother to see you walking around in a low-cut shirt and spandex.
The next thing to consider is weather. Living in Ohio, there is as much chance as 80 degree weather as there is for snow, so check the weather to see what it will be like for Halloween. If it’s going to be 75, dressing up in a thermal santa suit is probably not your best option. And if it’s going to be freezing cold, maybe don’t dress up as a swimmer in a bathing suit.
Lastly, consider what you’re willing to spend. If Halloween is the holiday that you wait for all year, Walmart probably isn’t going to have the ideal $100 costume that you have been waiting to get.
If you consider all of these things, you can count on having a great costume that is perfect for the holiday.
-Savannah Legg ('16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Photos Editor. [email protected]
By: Savannah Legg
NORTHRIDGE – There are several things to consider when deciding what to dress up as for Halloween.
One of the most important is the occasion/audience. For example, if you plan on walking around the sidewalks of Alexandria on the night of trick-or-treat, your first costume choice probably shouldn’t be something revealing, ladies. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I really don’t want my grandma and little brother to see you walking around in a low-cut shirt and spandex.
The next thing to consider is weather. Living in Ohio, there is as much chance as 80 degree weather as there is for snow, so check the weather to see what it will be like for Halloween. If it’s going to be 75, dressing up in a thermal santa suit is probably not your best option. And if it’s going to be freezing cold, maybe don’t dress up as a swimmer in a bathing suit.
Lastly, consider what you’re willing to spend. If Halloween is the holiday that you wait for all year, Walmart probably isn’t going to have the ideal $100 costume that you have been waiting to get.
If you consider all of these things, you can count on having a great costume that is perfect for the holiday.
-Savannah Legg ('16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Photos Editor. [email protected]
Spooky Ohio
By: Kyle Stermer
Halloween is just around the corner, and one of everyone's favorite pastimes is heading to some of Ohio's haunted attractions.
The closest, and by far the most popular haunted event would have to be the Haunted Hoochie. Just outside of Pataskala, what is usually a crowded scarefest looks like a normal old barn with silos in the off season. Once they start, it is much more lively. When you arrive, you get your tickets, and then begin to wait in line. Be well prepared to wait upwards of an hour to go in, but during that hour they keep you plenty occupied with live music, along with workers trying their best to scare you. Once you're inside, you weave your way through dark, tight hallways until you stumble along different “scenes” they have set up. Some of them are very graphic, and include the traditional halloween things like demon birth, haunted prisons, and torture. Once you finally see light, you are chased out by people with chainsaws. Overall, i'd say the Haunted Hoochie is great place to go hang with friends and get your scare on. With it being one of the closest events to Northridge, it is definitely a top contender.
Another one of the more popular attractions would have to be the Mansfield reformatory. Unlike the Haunted Hoochie, the prison was an actual prison, and is said to be haunted. The actual building was built in 1886, but then shut down due to a federal court order. It was then turned into a tour attraction, along with a haunted house in the halloween months. The show times are the same as the Haunted Hoochie, except the prison has shows on Sundays. Many people have said that the lines are about 2 hours long, but they also said it was worth it. Once the tour starts, they claim it lasts about an hour depending on how fast you are walking or running.
These are just a couple of the more popular attractions, but there are certainly many more ranging from haunted hayrides, forests, caves, and farms. Wherever you live, there is likely a haunted house closeby for you to enjoy.
-Kyle Stermer (‘16) is a third-year Vault staff member and News Editor. [email protected]
By: Kyle Stermer
Halloween is just around the corner, and one of everyone's favorite pastimes is heading to some of Ohio's haunted attractions.
The closest, and by far the most popular haunted event would have to be the Haunted Hoochie. Just outside of Pataskala, what is usually a crowded scarefest looks like a normal old barn with silos in the off season. Once they start, it is much more lively. When you arrive, you get your tickets, and then begin to wait in line. Be well prepared to wait upwards of an hour to go in, but during that hour they keep you plenty occupied with live music, along with workers trying their best to scare you. Once you're inside, you weave your way through dark, tight hallways until you stumble along different “scenes” they have set up. Some of them are very graphic, and include the traditional halloween things like demon birth, haunted prisons, and torture. Once you finally see light, you are chased out by people with chainsaws. Overall, i'd say the Haunted Hoochie is great place to go hang with friends and get your scare on. With it being one of the closest events to Northridge, it is definitely a top contender.
Another one of the more popular attractions would have to be the Mansfield reformatory. Unlike the Haunted Hoochie, the prison was an actual prison, and is said to be haunted. The actual building was built in 1886, but then shut down due to a federal court order. It was then turned into a tour attraction, along with a haunted house in the halloween months. The show times are the same as the Haunted Hoochie, except the prison has shows on Sundays. Many people have said that the lines are about 2 hours long, but they also said it was worth it. Once the tour starts, they claim it lasts about an hour depending on how fast you are walking or running.
These are just a couple of the more popular attractions, but there are certainly many more ranging from haunted hayrides, forests, caves, and farms. Wherever you live, there is likely a haunted house closeby for you to enjoy.
-Kyle Stermer (‘16) is a third-year Vault staff member and News Editor. [email protected]
Ask Aili
Q: Dear Aili, should I take college credit plus classes or advanced placement classes during high school?
A: There are pros and cons to both classes. College credit plus classes automatically give you college credit for courses, while A.P. classes only give you college credit if you score high enough on the exam. Also, while A.P. course grades only go on your high school transcript, College Credit Plus classes go on both your high school and college transcript. This means that if you do poorly in those classes, it will follow you through college. In A.P. classes at Northridge, you must pay $90 per A.P. test. On the other hand, the college classes are paid for by the state. I would take a look at the colleges you are interested in and see which credits they prefer: some colleges take only A.P. credit, some take both, and some do not take any. I would also look at what classes Northridge offers and see what you are interested in. I recommend taking both types of classes in high school in order to both get a feel for what to expect in college.
Q: Dear Aili, how can i get better involved at Northridge?
A: There are many ways to get involved with your high school. First, try joining a sports team such as swimming, bowling, lacrosse, or track. If sports aren’t your thing, you can always join a club like our mock trial team, yearbook, quiz-bowl, or newspaper. You can also attend Northridge events whenever they pop up including homecoming or a flag-football tournament. Head out to a sports game to cheer on your peers or go watch the Middle School’s musical. It’s important to stay connected while you’re in high school since you will only have this experience once. Go have fun!
-Aili Barbee (‘16) is a third-year Vault staff member and the Print Editor-in-Chief. [email protected]
Q: Dear Aili, should I take college credit plus classes or advanced placement classes during high school?
A: There are pros and cons to both classes. College credit plus classes automatically give you college credit for courses, while A.P. classes only give you college credit if you score high enough on the exam. Also, while A.P. course grades only go on your high school transcript, College Credit Plus classes go on both your high school and college transcript. This means that if you do poorly in those classes, it will follow you through college. In A.P. classes at Northridge, you must pay $90 per A.P. test. On the other hand, the college classes are paid for by the state. I would take a look at the colleges you are interested in and see which credits they prefer: some colleges take only A.P. credit, some take both, and some do not take any. I would also look at what classes Northridge offers and see what you are interested in. I recommend taking both types of classes in high school in order to both get a feel for what to expect in college.
Q: Dear Aili, how can i get better involved at Northridge?
A: There are many ways to get involved with your high school. First, try joining a sports team such as swimming, bowling, lacrosse, or track. If sports aren’t your thing, you can always join a club like our mock trial team, yearbook, quiz-bowl, or newspaper. You can also attend Northridge events whenever they pop up including homecoming or a flag-football tournament. Head out to a sports game to cheer on your peers or go watch the Middle School’s musical. It’s important to stay connected while you’re in high school since you will only have this experience once. Go have fun!
-Aili Barbee (‘16) is a third-year Vault staff member and the Print Editor-in-Chief. [email protected]
DIY with Andy the Fix-it Guy
Winterizing your tools
By: Andrew Watson
NORTHRIDGE – Fall is upon us, and the days are numbered until winter is here. It’s also time to put your summer tools away. Colder temperatures and lower humidity mean that many of our favorite flowers are dying off, along with grass: something you might have mixed feelings about if that’s your responsibility.
One of the biggest tools in your arsenal against the raging grass war is the mower. Depending on the size of your yard, you may use anything from a small push mower to a tractor with a mowing attachment. For any size mower, you must winterize it in order to have it in optimal condition for spring. Gasoline gums up in cold Ohio winters, and this can create big problems.
You may find that everyone seems to have a different method of winterizing their machine. They all have different opinions, but almost all of them are taking a step in the right direction. The first question you have to ask yourself is if you want to leave the gas in the mower or not. If you have a larger riding mower and it has quite a bit of gas in it, you might want to leave it in, but if you’re using a smaller mower, it’s best if you take the gas out. To extract the gas, simply run the engine until it’s empty. I normally find that standing there for even two minutes can be a bit of a hassle because you never really know when it’s going to run out and it seems to take forever, so I tie something around the handle and let it run until it dies. If you choose to leave the gas in, go to the store and get some fuel stabilizer. The fuel stabilizer keeps the gas from gumming up over the winter, and the gas that’s in the tank will still be able to use in the spring.
Aside from the gas, you’ll want to top off the oil. Another thing that people don’t think of is to lay the mower sideways and scrape, powerwash, hose down, whatever it takes to get the gunked up grass clippings out from under the deck. On a rider, this might mean detaching the deck and cleaning it. The grass that stays in there will cause rust as it sits over winter, so the cleaner the better.
You may find it’s easier to remove the blade to remove grass; while doing so, check to make sure the blade is still sharp. If your blade is dull, you have some options: you can sharpen the blade yourself with a bench grinder or an angle grinder (this requires a balancing tool), or you can just pick up another blade. I often run over things in the lawn and, if I had to buy a new blade every time that happened, I’d buy a dozen blades a season. Once a year it’s definitely a good step to get a good new blade under the deck for a new year.
Now, if the gas is out of your machine, you’ll want to give the carburetor a quick clean. On most mowers, this is a quick step that can save you a lot of time next spring. Find the bowl of the carburetor, and depending on how it comes off (refer to owner’s manual if neccessary) remove the bowl. This takes care of most of the problem you’ll have next year, such as dirty gas or a clogged carburetor. Clean the bowl with some carburetor cleaner, or you can use a rag and some determination.
Cleaning the air filter is quite easy in smaller engines, but it is also pretty simple in bigger ones. The main thing is that it’s not clogged. If you have a paper filter and you cannot shake off the dust, toss it and get a new one. If you have a foam filter, it can be cleaned with some soapy hot water, then let it dry for a while.
Winterizing your machines can be crucial in the life of a mower, trimmer, or anything else that you use on the lawn. Eliminating most of the stress now by putting your equipment away properly means that when the grass gets high in the spring, you’re ready to go.
-Andrew Watson ('16) is a first-year Vault staff member and Features Editor. [email protected]
Winterizing your tools
By: Andrew Watson
NORTHRIDGE – Fall is upon us, and the days are numbered until winter is here. It’s also time to put your summer tools away. Colder temperatures and lower humidity mean that many of our favorite flowers are dying off, along with grass: something you might have mixed feelings about if that’s your responsibility.
One of the biggest tools in your arsenal against the raging grass war is the mower. Depending on the size of your yard, you may use anything from a small push mower to a tractor with a mowing attachment. For any size mower, you must winterize it in order to have it in optimal condition for spring. Gasoline gums up in cold Ohio winters, and this can create big problems.
You may find that everyone seems to have a different method of winterizing their machine. They all have different opinions, but almost all of them are taking a step in the right direction. The first question you have to ask yourself is if you want to leave the gas in the mower or not. If you have a larger riding mower and it has quite a bit of gas in it, you might want to leave it in, but if you’re using a smaller mower, it’s best if you take the gas out. To extract the gas, simply run the engine until it’s empty. I normally find that standing there for even two minutes can be a bit of a hassle because you never really know when it’s going to run out and it seems to take forever, so I tie something around the handle and let it run until it dies. If you choose to leave the gas in, go to the store and get some fuel stabilizer. The fuel stabilizer keeps the gas from gumming up over the winter, and the gas that’s in the tank will still be able to use in the spring.
Aside from the gas, you’ll want to top off the oil. Another thing that people don’t think of is to lay the mower sideways and scrape, powerwash, hose down, whatever it takes to get the gunked up grass clippings out from under the deck. On a rider, this might mean detaching the deck and cleaning it. The grass that stays in there will cause rust as it sits over winter, so the cleaner the better.
You may find it’s easier to remove the blade to remove grass; while doing so, check to make sure the blade is still sharp. If your blade is dull, you have some options: you can sharpen the blade yourself with a bench grinder or an angle grinder (this requires a balancing tool), or you can just pick up another blade. I often run over things in the lawn and, if I had to buy a new blade every time that happened, I’d buy a dozen blades a season. Once a year it’s definitely a good step to get a good new blade under the deck for a new year.
Now, if the gas is out of your machine, you’ll want to give the carburetor a quick clean. On most mowers, this is a quick step that can save you a lot of time next spring. Find the bowl of the carburetor, and depending on how it comes off (refer to owner’s manual if neccessary) remove the bowl. This takes care of most of the problem you’ll have next year, such as dirty gas or a clogged carburetor. Clean the bowl with some carburetor cleaner, or you can use a rag and some determination.
Cleaning the air filter is quite easy in smaller engines, but it is also pretty simple in bigger ones. The main thing is that it’s not clogged. If you have a paper filter and you cannot shake off the dust, toss it and get a new one. If you have a foam filter, it can be cleaned with some soapy hot water, then let it dry for a while.
Winterizing your machines can be crucial in the life of a mower, trimmer, or anything else that you use on the lawn. Eliminating most of the stress now by putting your equipment away properly means that when the grass gets high in the spring, you’re ready to go.
-Andrew Watson ('16) is a first-year Vault staff member and Features Editor. [email protected]
Pumpkin carving for dummies
By: Megan Dalton
It’s the time for halloween candy and crazy costumes. The time for sticky caramel apples and and warm, sweet apple cider. The time for ghosts and monsters to come out and play. But most importantly, it’s time to carve the crazy, goofy, or scary pumpkins that will light up your porch at night. Here’s a step-by-step process for making the best pumpkin in the world (or maybe just for along your street).
Step 1: You first need to get a pumpkin, but not just any pumpkin. There is a scientific process for how to pick the best one. First, wait until the first full moon because this is when the werewolves come out, and they scare away pumpkin patch competitors. Then at midnight you need to go to the pumpkin patch wearing your Charlie Brown outfit, for no reason but to look awesome. Then, pick out the ugliest pumpkin you can find. If it looks dirty and misshapen, that is the perfect pumpkin! WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! NOW IT'S TIME TO PARTY!
Step 2: After that wild night of pumpkin choosing, you owe it to yourself to get a good night's sleep. Make sure the prized pumpkin is tucked in next to you, safe and sound. Then, in the morning, you need to prep the pumpkin. To prep a pumpkin, you need to simply bath the pumpkin in the finest soaps to cleanse it and make it shine bright like a diamond.
Step 3; After pumpkin prep, it's time for planning. You need a game plan; you need to decide what you want this pumpkin to represent. Do you want to scare off trick-or-treaters coming to steal your candy? Or do you want to go for a more classic look or even a more modern look? The choice is yours.
Step 4; After choosing the pumpkin design, it's time to transform this pumpkin from drab, to fab! You first need to draw the image onto the pumpkin, clearly noting what pieces you will be cutting out. Then cut open the top of the pumpkin to remove its guts, seeds and other slimy things that are inside this pumpkin.
Step 5; With adult supervision, cut out the sections of the image you drew to create your masterpiece! Then place a lighted candle inside the hollowed pumpkin, place the top back on and sit it outside for all to see.
Step 6; Stand back in the dark of night and cackle like a witch at your glorious creation. Then put a proud fist in the air in triumph like in the end of The Breakfast Club, because you just nailed it.
-Megan Dalton (’16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Sports Editor. [email protected]
By: Megan Dalton
It’s the time for halloween candy and crazy costumes. The time for sticky caramel apples and and warm, sweet apple cider. The time for ghosts and monsters to come out and play. But most importantly, it’s time to carve the crazy, goofy, or scary pumpkins that will light up your porch at night. Here’s a step-by-step process for making the best pumpkin in the world (or maybe just for along your street).
Step 1: You first need to get a pumpkin, but not just any pumpkin. There is a scientific process for how to pick the best one. First, wait until the first full moon because this is when the werewolves come out, and they scare away pumpkin patch competitors. Then at midnight you need to go to the pumpkin patch wearing your Charlie Brown outfit, for no reason but to look awesome. Then, pick out the ugliest pumpkin you can find. If it looks dirty and misshapen, that is the perfect pumpkin! WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! NOW IT'S TIME TO PARTY!
Step 2: After that wild night of pumpkin choosing, you owe it to yourself to get a good night's sleep. Make sure the prized pumpkin is tucked in next to you, safe and sound. Then, in the morning, you need to prep the pumpkin. To prep a pumpkin, you need to simply bath the pumpkin in the finest soaps to cleanse it and make it shine bright like a diamond.
Step 3; After pumpkin prep, it's time for planning. You need a game plan; you need to decide what you want this pumpkin to represent. Do you want to scare off trick-or-treaters coming to steal your candy? Or do you want to go for a more classic look or even a more modern look? The choice is yours.
Step 4; After choosing the pumpkin design, it's time to transform this pumpkin from drab, to fab! You first need to draw the image onto the pumpkin, clearly noting what pieces you will be cutting out. Then cut open the top of the pumpkin to remove its guts, seeds and other slimy things that are inside this pumpkin.
Step 5; With adult supervision, cut out the sections of the image you drew to create your masterpiece! Then place a lighted candle inside the hollowed pumpkin, place the top back on and sit it outside for all to see.
Step 6; Stand back in the dark of night and cackle like a witch at your glorious creation. Then put a proud fist in the air in triumph like in the end of The Breakfast Club, because you just nailed it.
-Megan Dalton (’16) is a third-year Vault staff member and Sports Editor. [email protected]