What a Year

What a Year

By Violet bender

Wow, what a year it has been. We have finally made it through 2020. On December 25, it was Christmas day, which was a great way to finish off the year. After Christmas, New Years was only in a few days.  Millions of Americans, including me, stayed up Thursday night to watch the ball drop, and to lead a new, hopefully better year with it. Many artists performed in Times Square, including JLo. I couldn’t be happier that it is now 2021.  

This past year has had so many ups and downs. A virus has spread all across the world killing millions. Kobe and his daughter have passed away in a plane crash. Rumors started about World War 3. There were huge swarms of murder hornets. Wildfires spread throughout the country. Thousands of companies went out of business. School was shut down, and millions of students had to work online, where many of them were failing school. Everyone had to find ways to cope during the long time in quarantine. The elections took place, where Biden won. The Arctic is being drilled down killing thousands of species, many of them being endangered. That is only the beginning of it all, there is so much more.

Benton Goes Cyber

Benton Goes Cyber

by Amber Hughes

All  situations have pros and cons. Naturally, there is a heavy debate as to whether online school is really the best option for students. Personally, I love cyber school, but for many, online school seems to be less than ideal. 

Waking up and completing assignments in the morning allowed me to have more free time in the month of December. I enjoy submitting assignments at my own pace. I can drink coffee on zoom and eat meals when I am hungry instead of scheduled times. 

However, some students feel completely different. Bad wifi, at home distractions, and disorganization are just a few struggles students face everyday. It seems as though elementary students have it the worst. I can not imagine learning grammar or even long division virtually. My attention span at 6 years old was so short, there is no way I would have succeeded. 

One common agreement across the board is that we all miss human contact. The district's attempt at in person school this year was not the same as normal school at all. Although our staff did the best they could and we had it better than most schools, at the end of the day, many of us developed negative feelings towards attending school each day. Wearing a mask 6 hours a day and social distancing takes out almost all the fun you have at school. 

I have gained a lot of respect for teachers and parents trying their best. We all appreciate all the hardwork and effort it takes to put together online assignments each week. Students have learned responsibility in a way no one could have imagined. Logging into meetings each week and keeping up with assignments every week can be very challenging.

Hiking at Ricketts Glen

Hiking at Ricketts Glen

by Reagan Hess and Riley Heller

There are an abundance of trails at Ricketts Glen for you to explore. Ranging from easy beginner level trails, such as the Beach Trail, to experienced level trails, such as the Falls Trail, there is something for everyone at Ricketts Glen. Please keep in mind the guidelines for the park, as seen here (https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/RickettsGlenStatePark/Pages/Hiking.aspx), and your own personal experience level, since you don't want to risk getting injured doing a hike too hard for you. Every year, several people fall off the Falls Trail and there are very limited access points for rangers and first responders, so make sure you are prepared for the hike you choose to do.

As of right now, the campgrounds are open at Ricketts Glen and you are able to make reservations, but group cabins will remain closed. Masks are mandatory in park offices and any other indoor public space. Beaches are limited to 75% of normal capacity and masks are recommended when not in the water.

Wildfire On Main

Wildfire on Main

By Violet Bender

If you have not heard yet, there is a new boutique in Benton. It is located along mainstreet. If you want some new, cute things, you should think about stopping by. They have a new quotables collection which includes cards, mugs, magnets, and more. They are very upbeat and fun.

They sell an assortment of things from earrings, necklaces, and rings, to jeans, and jackets. If you want to get in the fall spirit, you can stop by and get sweaters and candles perfect for the season. You can also wait until spring rolls around to get flowy dresses and sunglasses to match the weather.

If someone's birthday is coming up, or any other event, thay have options perfect for you. The store is filled with unique, trendy clothing. Wildfire is a great store and worth checking out.

Trick or Treating in the Borough

Trick or Treating in the Borough

By: Amber Hughes

Trick or Treating has been a controversial topic among families all over the globe. The COVID-19 virus has cancelled almost all populated events including everything from the 2020 Olympics, to small birthday parties. Fairs, amusement parks and other fun weekend activities have taken a huge hit due to the virus.

While it seems like everything is being taken away from us, the Benton Borough has decided to allow families to decide if it is worth the risk or not. Many families are choosing to open their doors to trick or treaters this Halloween. 

Without a doubt Halloween will not be the same as previous years, however, I think it can be just as fun as long as we follow the CDC guidelines and protect ourselves and others by wearing a mask.

Halloween costumes come in so many varieties, and finding one for yourself and the kids can be lots of fun. Finding creative ways to incorporate a mask into your favorite costume can add to the Halloween fun!

Halloween can be lots of fun, but it is important to keep a few safety tips in mind. Staying on the sidewalk whenever possible is always a good idea. Wearing reflective clothing and/or glow sticks are great ways to help allow drivers to see you. Trick or Treating in larger groups has been a great way to stay safe in past years, but social distancing is something that we should consider this Halloween. Trick or treating with trusted adults in smaller groups is definitely more ideal this year.

Benton Dam Repair & Drought

Benton Dam Repair and Drought

By: Reagan Hess

Earlier this September repair began on the crumbling second step of the Benton Dam. The repair crew took advantage of this almost month long drought to pour concrete and replace the broken pieces of the steps. Having the water levels almost a foot below the ledge helped immensely because there was no risk of water flowing over and displacing the concrete.

The repair, taking almost a day, successfully repaired the dam and is now safe for everyone. The drought seemingly has no suspected end, seeing as everytime there is a chance of all day rain, we get maybe an hour and a half.

As of now, the only day with a chance of rain 50 or above is Sunday night on the 27th with a 50% chance of thunderstorms. Even with the rain, there is still a case of the dam not flowing over. It is best to stay out of the stagnant water for the foreseeable future.

Retherford’s Farm Market, Produce, and Antiques

Retherford’s Farm Market, Produce, and Antiques

By: Amber Hughes

Retherford’s Farm Market is a great way to spend an afternoon with your family and friends. There are plenty of options and fun for all ages. Hannah and Mylee’s Corn Maze is my personal favorite activity. The corn maze is uniquely carved this year, featuring a political design filled with challenging twists and turns to keep you occupied for hours!

Visiting the animals is a close second. The farm has cool animals to view like pigs and goats. Close to the entrance of the maze, the pirate play place has swords and pirate gear for kids to play with.

The main tent is filled with delicious produce like apples and squash. The yellow and white pumpkin displays are a real sight to see. The mini pumpkins can double as a fun painting activity and long lasting fall decorations.

Perusing the antiques while the kids are picking out pumpkins is a great way to finish off the day. With reasonable prices and a friendly staff, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be interested in Retherford’s Market.