Of the many fascinating aspects of Appalachia, the people are perhaps the most interesting. A strange marriage of diversities and commonalities, every hill and holler (get it?) has its own special people and places. Appalachia is represented in tonnes of films, even if just incidentally.

We all know Athens has that shop-local, support-local vibe. Everything from contractors to caterers to restaurants, wares, and more, this town is flush with small business entrepreneurs offering goods and services that are truly one-of-a-kind.

We all love grabbing a go-bag and hopping in the car the literal moment the last class before a break ends. But if you haven’t made sure your apartment is buttoned up first, you may come home to a not-so-cool surprise or two. Or at the very least an inconvenient situation. 

As we as a country begin to address and deconstruct history as we knew it, Columbus Day is dying under the new wave of Indigenous Peoples Day.

No, not the weird meat, and no, not the junk mail. SPAM stands for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and is held every September since its inception in 2008.

Looking for a fun way to kick off the pumpkin-spice-latte-and-ghosts-and-stuff season? The Hills Have Eyes is always a good choice for movie night. But if you’re looking to get out of the house and go somewhere that’s just naturally creepy, The Ridges is where it’s at.

We’ve got a lot in our little town – beautiful scenery, an active community, a vibrant campus, local breweries, wineries, a distillery, and, of course, the local food scene is not a joke.

We love a good safe space for OU students, but what about for our faculty and staff? OutOHIO is Ohio University’s LGBTQIA+ affinity organization for faculty and staff, and they’re hosting Fabulous Front Room First Fridays beginning this September 1st. 

Especially in the summer, but, really, any time of year, our corner of Appalachia puts on a light show at dusk every night. The sunsets are serene, colorful and vibrant at the same time.

Worried that fall semester classes are just around the corners and you’re not exactly set up for success yet? Don’t be! It just takes a little bit of prepping, planning and shopping to make sure you start the school year off on the right foot.