Taylor Ana - Co-Editor-in-Chief
This time on Fixer Upper: Controversy over ‘Old Traughber’ development continues
Oswego continues to grow with a population of over 35,000 people, and as new developments are being built along Wolf’s Crossing and along Route 34, more pressure is added to the area’s infrastructure. One such site is the former Traughber Junior High School, locally known as "Old Traughber," which has been used as the Oswego 308 Center, YMCA, and Senior Center. It has earned a lot of attention recently as it was sold by SD308 and is to be demolished and replaced with a residential development. JM Development initially proposed the development to the Village Planning and Zoning Commission Sept 4. After the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended not to approve the plan, JM Development revised it and proposed it to the Village Board of Trustees on Oct. 21, where it was unanimously approved.
New year, same struggles: How to make resolutions that actually work
Every January, it seems like everyone’s thinking one of two things: “I can’t wait to work on my New Year’s resolution!” or “I can’t believe anyone still makes New Year’s resolutions.” “It's kind of hard to set yourself to one goal, especially [[during]] one of the busiest times of the year,” said OH junior Alex Rausch, in an AVID class which talks about goal-setting. It’s always good to self-reflect, and resolutions remind people to do that, but they aren’t always that helpful. “People will [[make resolutions]] just because it's in culture and not because they actually want to make the change,” said Jessica Kawulia, an OH Social Studies teacher.
It’s spooky season somewhere: Gothic classics not just for autumn
It seems as though everyone has agreed: Gothic literature is reserved for autumn, and as soon as December hits, it must be ushered back into its crypt to wait for next year. Setting plays a big role in Gothic literature, with its crumbling estates, desolate landscapes full of desolate people, and life slipping away with the seasons. “Fall just kind of has that... feeling of ‘we're not quite at... the worst of the worst, but we're getting there,’" said OH English teacher Adam Jensen. "And... the same is true for a lot of our characters in Gothic novels who are transitioning from this place of normalcy... to this place of discomfort and terror.” The decline from the life and joy of summer, the mounting dread of winter, having to watch as beauty wilts away in front of you, and the inevitability of it all lend themselves to many major themes in Gothic literature.
Opinion: Why and how we need to read more classic literature
Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet, Dracula, etc. A bunch of stuffy old books by stuffy old people about stuffy old topics. Right? “I don't think most students understand the importance of [[classic literature,]]” said OH senior and National English Honor Society (NEHS) President Gabby Baier. In our ever-shifting culture, it’s hard to believe that something written centuries ago can have a presence, much less actually matter. But no matter how much a story matters, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s difficult to understand. So yes, people should read more classic literature. But they don’t have to do it on their own.
Opinion: ‘Tis the season: When should holiday celebrations start?
Already, companies are starting to send out Christmas catalogs, grandmas are addressing hundreds of cards, and carolers are beginning to practice their songs. But we’ve only gone through one round of pumpkins, the leaves haven’t even started to fall, Spirit Halloweens haven’t returned to their graves, and the Macy’s Santa hasn’t even thought about starting the holidays yet.