Fall is here, which means leaves are changing, the weather is cooling down and it’s a great time to go places before winter comes.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Visit the Apple orchard- Visit a apple orchard farm. Minnesota is a great place to get fresh apples from farms like: The Orchard Hill, Aamodt’s Apple Farm, Fischer Croix Farm Orchard, and Victoria Valley Orchard.

Visit a pumpkin patch- A pumpkin patch is where a garden of pumpkins are planted. Minnesota has around 140 pumpkin patches, some of them have rides, corn mazes, petting zoos, and some give you the opportunity to carve scary faces into pumpkins or bake and eat the seeds. Some pumpkin patch places provide a variety of different activities like: Schiltgen Farms LLC, Dehns Pumpkins, and Lendt’s Pumpkin Patch.

Duluth- The season is changing  in Duluth, and the change comes with beautiful colored fall leaves. Duluth provides a variety of things other than to watch the leaf changes colors too. While you are there, you can head up to Spirit Mountain, tour the beautiful grounds at the historic Glensheen Mansion, explore Canal Park, Leif Erikson Park, the Duluth Rose Garden, and you can also take the train to the Hidden Pumpkin Patch on October 15–18.

Hiking- Hiking is when you go for long walks, especially in the country or woods. Hiking helps you build some strength in your quadriceps, hamstrings, and the muscles in your hips and lower legs. St. Paul has some great hiking places like:  Winchell Trail, Shadow Falls Park, and Hidden Falls Regional Park.

Hayride- A hayride is a fun outdoor activity to get into the fall spirit. It involves a recreational ride in a wagon or cart pulled by a tractor, horses, or a truck. The wagon or cart is filled with hay, for it to be comfortable when seating, hence the name, hayride.

For more information, please visit these sites:

https://www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/10-things-fall/

Though the message is clear about the overwhelming use of plastics, some other product’s consequences are not quite as widely known. To be more knowledgeable, for the sake of the Earth, continue reading about these three deceiving products. 

1. Soap

You may want to think twice about what kind of soap you are using the next time you wash your hands. Contrary to what you may think, soap is actually a substance that threatens the environment because of a toxin, triclosan, contained in it.

Case in point, the chemical is very persistent. It does not die off by water treatment, meaning that it can reach the oceans and other waterways. Not only does it destroy a bacteria within bodies of water, but the very bacteria that makes up the base of the food chain. 

Luckily, in September 2016, there was a ban issued towards triclosan. It was said the products containing the chemicals were not ideal or safe for long term use.

Unfortunately, there are still soaps, deodorants, and kitchenware containing the toxin that should be avoided. 

2. Chopsticks

Do you think of chopsticks as a harmless wooden utensil used for eating? Sadly, you are mistaken, because China’s forests are sacrificing 1.18 million square meters to produce enough wood/bamboo to meet the demand, per year. 

Chopsticks were once a product, but should now be considered a habit. As demand for chopsticks goes up, 20 million trees in China’s forests come down. Each tree is used to make 4,000 chopsticks, meaning China is producing 80 billion chopsticks per year. Sadly, this factual number goes far past the 57 billion chopsticks, per year, that China’s national forest bureau estimates are produced. 

3. Sunscreen

Sunscreen, the goody two shoes of all substances, isn’t what it seems. Sadly, there is a salty secret behind the misty spray or white lotion you choose to use. 

The oceans are greatly affected by humans and all our plastic and chemical usage, and this is no different. Sunscreen is suppose to prevent harm and damage to humans, but in the oceans it seems the coral and marine life are facing the ugly reality of sunscreen. 

A common chemical known as oxybenzone, which is the main ingredient in sunscreen, is extremely toxic to young coral. The coral reefs’ development is affected by the toxin, which also damages their DNA. Their defenses against ocean bleaching is also lessened from exposure to oxybenzone.

Freshmen year of high school is a challenging year, it’s stressful when it comes to finding your way around the school and adjusting to new people and the new classes. Some days are going to be hard and others days are not, but it will get better, just be patient with yourself and it will feel like home in no time.

Here are few tips to help you have a great year. 

 Keep up your studies – To have a great freshman year keep up to date with your classes. High school usually comes with more homework, so figure out how to get good grades and you will be right on track.

Put together a calendar to manage your time with homework and your studies. High school will be harder and it requires a lot of hard work to have success, so if you are struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help or get a tutor to help you.  

Challenge yourself – If you want to challenge yourself take one or two accelerated classes. To help decide which to take, look at the school courses and see what they offer.

Also, you can choose extracurricular classes to earn more credits. High school usually has great opportunities, so it’s a great time to try something new, like trying out for a sports team or joining some of our clubs here.

Choose something that your interested in and it will help you grow and take on a leadership role.

Adjustment – Another way to help you with freshmen year is making new friends. Sometimes, our friends from middle school are not always going to stay our friends so make extra effort to keep those friendships and also to make new friends.

High school will help you, it will introduce you to new activities that will help you to have a passion for something.

For more ideas and tips to help you during your freshman year, you can visit one of these sites:

• https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/what-to-expect-freshman-year
• https://atlantablackstar.com/2019/08/01/5-ways-students-can-prepare-for-the-first-day-of-high-school/
• http://blog.collegegreenlight.com/blog/expect-freshman-year-high-school/

Have you ever stressed out for days before you have to present in front of a class?

My name is Leo Brock, and I have struggled with all of these and many more. Over the last 2018-2019 school year, I have become a lot more confident with my public speaking.

Here are some tips for you to become a better public speaker!

1)Volunteer FIRST.

When the teacher asks if anyone wants to volunteer, go for it. There are absolutely no downsides to it when you look further into volunteering.

If you volunteer to go first, it impresses your teacher, you can get it over with right away, and there is nothing before you for your classmates and teacher to base your presentation on. You’ll be completely original.

2) Scan the walls

Alright, you managed to get in front of the class…you’re presenting…what do you do with those lovely big eyes of yours?

3)Speak with your hands

What I’ve always had the most trouble with is not knowing what to do with my hands.

Stick it.

Now… those feet of yours. When you go up in front of the class. Find a spot and STAY THERE. Don’t move your feet.

5) You made it.

The biggest key to a presentation is being confident. Even if what you’re presenting isn’t that good, just think that you volunteered to go up in front of the class and followed the last 4 steps perfectly.

I very much hope these tips have helped you, they have most certainly helped me.

There has been talk of the Earth dying for some time now. To try and stop this many people have decided that they want to spread the idea of a more sustainable living.

One easy and effective way to do this is by switching to reusable products. This helps reduce trash and saves your household tons of money. Imagine not needing to buy plastic baggies for lunch or sponges for dish cleaning again. Continue reading for some reusable item examples. 

Refillable Lotion/Soap Bottles: 

There are tons of different refillable lotion brands to choose from. What to do is you order your lotion from where you want, for example, like the company Plaine Products, and when it’s empty or almost empty you send the bottle back. The company then fills it back up for you. You can do the same thing for hand soap. This helps reduce all the plastic being used to make the lotion and soap bottles you buy only to than throw away.

Reusable Silicone Food Baggies:

Silicone food bags get you to save so much money. Instead of throwing away every plastic storage bag you use, you can buy multiple and use them over and over again. There are many different easy cleaning methods for them that take only a few quick minutes. These bags are durable, and so much more ocean friendly than plastic bags. 

Dishwashing Brush:

Forget about small sponges, purchase a reusable dishwashing brush instead. They are soft enough to clean delicate cups and plates but tough enough to get hard to clean pots and pans as well. A plus about these is that the tool comes with a handy wooden handle. These brushes last much longer than sponges do. They are much more reliable and they help reduce trash.

Silicone Baking Cups: 

These baking cups are a good alternative to paper or aluminum cups. They can be easily washed in the dishwasher or even by hand. You can place them anywhere from the microwave to the freezer. A benefit of using these is you wouldn’t need a muffin tin to help bake. They are durable, affordable, and easy to store. And of course they are better for the earth. 

 

Summer break is right around the corner, which for many teens means time to make money. Whether you’re saving up for college, spending it at the mall, or going to a concert, summer offers the plenty of freetime to make money. Here are a few ways you can do this:

Mow lawns. Since there is no longer snow on the ground, mowing lawns is the perfect opportunity to make easy cash. You can post an ad somewhere or go door to door to mow your neighbor’s lawns–just protect your information and stay safe.

Babysit. Babysitting or nannying offers flexible hours that fit your schedule. Sometimes it can make you just as much money as a part-time job. You can babysit children in your neighborhood or family friends as a way to start out.

Walk dogs. If you like dogs, this is the perfect one for you! You can set up a weekly or daily dog walking service and advertise it.

Clean houses. Plenty of people need someone to vacuum weekly or take out the trash. Offer a cleaning service with a set price, but only to people you know at first. It is important to stay safe when entering other people’s homes.

Declutter. You can sell things that you no longer need! Whether this be clothes or old games, you can sell them many ways. This could be through social media or at a physical garage sale.

Sell homemade goods. Maybe you have a hobby – such as baking or bracelet making. Whatever this may be, you can sell what you’ve made on social media platforms or from home. Just make sure to advertise.

Run errands. You can run errands for busy parents or older people, which is an easy way to make cash. This could be grocery shopping, filling up their car with gas, or picking up their favorite takeout.

Lifeguard. If you’re interested in becoming a lifeguard, or already are certified, you can lifeguard at your local pool or beach. Make sure that you have taken a lifeguarding class before applying for jobs.

Golf caddy. Apply to be a golf caddy at your nearest golf course. It’s a good way to make money, as well as meet new people. You can also receive tips for your hard work!

Garden or landscape. Offer to do challenging or boring landscaping tasks for people, such as weeding their garden or picking up sticks in their front yard. To get these jobs, make sure to advertise well, while still being safe about your contact information.

Included on this list there’s a few basic, and a few exciting, new tasks you could try to spice up your summer! From just running errands to trying gardening and landscaping, there’s a large variety of things you could do! This list certainly does not have all of them, so take this as inspiration and let your imagination run wild! Have an amazing summer everyone.

The 2019 summer vacation is fast approaching, and though all you can think about is school being done and finally having time to relax and enjoy your long break, what is it that you’ll be doing – sitting on the couch all day with the fan on blast picking at your nails? Come on!

There’re so many great things to do, and volunteering is one of them. Volunteering is a great way to spend your summer as you’re not only helping people, you’ll learn about yourself and do some good work.

Hopefully, now you’re interested, and want to know more, so here are some volunteering opportunities and where are they located – keep reading to see 10 amazing ones!

Animal Rescue Shelter: There are lots of local animal shelters in the Highland area, for example the Highland Animal Shelter and the Highland Humane Society. You can gain many office skills from volunteering here such as answering emails, fielding phone calls, and providing general administrative assistance. You can even earn cash by making connections with staff or customer’s and offering to walk their dogs, it makes for a great part-time-job and you’re staying happy and healthy; I mean who doesn’t like animals?!

National Parks: Volunteering at a national park is more than just cleaning litter, if you like history or nature, this is defiantly the path to go. You can explore the fascinating historical sights and learn more about it history as you complete your volunteering hours. Places like the Mississippi River National Park or Fort Snelling are definitely a history buff’s dream come true.

Food Pantries: Food pantries and soup kitchens can always use a helping hand organizing things like food drives, raising money, or even simply handing out meals to those in need. Offering any of your services to these organization is great, some local food pantries include the Neighborhood House and Francis Basket Food Shelf.

Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity offers various locally targeted volunteer opportunities. If you’re interested in architecture, design, or engineering, then this program allows you to gain experience by completing home repair and maintenance. check out its A Brush With Kindness campaign or the Women Build program, designed specifically to help women learn construction skills. This will allow you to gain leadership, team-building and construction skills.

Local Libraries: Libraries, such as our own Highland library, never refuse help. They typically need help organizing shelves, setting up public events – such as book fairs, and much more. You can even ask to design ads for these events allowing you to add more to your resume!

Art Museums: If you’re interested in art, working in a art museum can allow you to gain invaluable experience. Surrounding yourself with timeless works of art you can soak up art knowledge and acquire administrative skills. If you’re interested, try the Minnesota Museum of American Art

Political Campaigns: If you’re passionate about government, politics and current news consider offering to help a local candidate you feel good about. No politician gets elected without volunteers manning the phones. This type of office work can help you gain valuable experience. It will also help you establish contacts if you’re interested in politics as a career

YMCA: At the YMCA, you can volunteer to help people of all ages, strengthening your leadership skills by teaching a class in any sport or activity you’re interested in. Check your local YMCA’s website, or simply walk in to find out more about their opportunities. whether you want to be active or gain desk job experience, the YMCA has something for you.

Retirement Homes: Retired people love exciting new classes or activities to try. Teaching these people something fun and interesting, while showing of you’re skills, seems like a wonderful volunteering opportunity. If you’re good at public speaking, maybe recite some poems or historical speeches. If you’re good with computers, lend you’re services to show the senior citizens how to use it. Whatever it may be chances are, they want to learn, but no one has ever taken the time to give them the proper instruction.

Red Cross: The American Red Cross has an extensive list of jobs available to help those in need and allows you to bolster your resume at the same time. If you don’t like giving blood, greeting and assisting customers could be an option. You’re skills may make you a good fit got multiple jobs such as grant writing, clerical tasks, and maintaining.

Volunteering doesn’t take any special skills or extensive experience – and there’s never a shortage of organizations looking for help. Now you have a multitude of ways to spend your summer, and no matter whether you are an animal person, or an art person, there’s one out there for you! So take this short list as inspiration and find your favorite! Who knows, maybe it’s the start of your lifelong success!

The list above is adapted from  https://www.moneycrashers.com/good-places-volunteer-opportunities-organizations/ 

Fishing is an all year activity that can be done at any time. There is regular fishing during the Spring to Autumn seasons and during winter, there is ice fishing. As we are approaching summer, as the temperatures are getting warmer, and now that the ice is gone, there are more opportunities to go fishing.

The best times to fish during the summer are in early mornings and late evenings. There is a moon positioning theory that was made by John Alden Knight. The moon positioning theory states that bass bite the best during certain tidal activities. For more information on the times to fish, visit the website shopkarls.com.

Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and may have more if you continue to count after 10,000. Each lake has its benefits of catching fish such as: bass, walleyes, muskies, pike, and many more. Areas you are able to find fish are: narrows, bay entrances, weed beds, sunken islands, and points.

According to www.minnesotalakes.net:

Some of the best lakes to fish bass are:

• Lake of the Woods
• Lake Winnie
• Rainy Lake

Some of the best lakes to fish northern pikes are:

• Leech Lake
• Class Lake
• Lake Minnetonka

Some of the best lakes to fish muskies are:

• Detroit Lake
• Lake Minnetonka
• Lake Vermillion

Not only are lakes great to fish in but also rivers. Though Minnesota has twice as many lakes than rivers, river fishing is still enjoyable at these rivers:

• Red River
• Root River
• St. Croix River
• St. Louis River
• Minnesota River

Fishing can help create bonds with family or friends. From my own perspective, I have relatives who loves to fish and are closer to one another because they share this in common. My siblings, and our friends, take time out of their days to spend time fishing with their friends. So, when summer begins, and we are out of school, consider going out to spend some time fishing.

What is MEPS?

MEPS is the Military Entrance Processing Station. MEPS is a two day long process; the first day is when you’ll have to take the ASVAB test and the second day is where you go through a physical examination to see if you’re physically fit for the military.

What is the ASVAB?

ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It is a multiple choice test that everyone must take when trying to join any branch of the military. The ASVAB is timed, meaning that for each section of the test you take, there will be a timer and time limit for that section. The time limit varies each section, so maybe the science section will have a time limit of 15 minutes, and the math might have a time limit of 20 minutes. Overall, the test should be around 2-3 hours long.

What happens after the ASVAB test?

After taking the ASVAB, the person in charge will tell you your scores and give you a sheet to look at and sign then put all the documents into a folder specifically for you. After the first day, you are required to sleep overnight at a hotel that has a program with the MEPS. The reason for this is that people working for MEPS want to make sure that everyone wakes up on time, and gets to the Department of Defense at the same time, so that there won’t be any inconveniences. The required time to wake up is at 4:30am, as the process will take up the whole day. Depending on how many people are also joining on the same day as you, you might have a roommate or you might not.

What is the physical examination like?

Once you get to the Department of Defense, you have to sign in using your social security number and your fingerprint. During the examination, you’ll have to take: a urine test, eyesight test, hearing test and a blood draw. After you do all of the required tests, you will be put into a room with people of the same gender, and in there you’ll have to do some physical activities to make sure your arms and legs are working fine. Some examples are: flapping yours arm, touching each of your fingers with your thumb, and doing the duck walk. Once you finish, you’ll meet individually with the doctor.

Afterwards:

Once you finish with the physical examination, you’ll meet up with a counselor from your branch and go over your paperwork. After that, you meet with another counselor working at MEPS to go over your papers and make sure everything you have on your files is real. Once you go through all of these steps, it’s time for you to swear in and make an oath. Swearing in will take about 15-20 minutes, then after that, you’re done at MEPS and officially a part of whichever branch of the military you’ve applied for.