An Interview with Shea Bensley
By John Hammond
How do you put up with the Alt. School kids?
I would like to think that I'm a very open minded person with a good sense of humor and secure.
What is the best part of your school day?
When everyone is getting along. I love when the students are productive, but still making jokes and telling stories.
What’s your favorite thing outside of school?
I like the outdoors, bonfires, and walks in the woods.
What do you think about physical violence?
I believe that people are changed by connection with people.
What's your biggest success?
The Alt. School but I obviously don't deserve all the credit. My kids of course.
What do you think about social media
It can be used for good but it isn't most of the time.
What state did you grow up in?
Texas.
How did you move up Candor?
My husband is from Tioga Center.
Did you go to college and if so where?
I went for a short period of time to Rick’s College in Idaho, until I left to help my family.
What was your last job before the Alt School?
I ran a home daycare and before that I worked at Lockheed Martin as an Executive Administrative Assistant to the General Manager of the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter.
By John Hammond
How do you put up with the Alt. School kids?
I would like to think that I'm a very open minded person with a good sense of humor and secure.
What is the best part of your school day?
When everyone is getting along. I love when the students are productive, but still making jokes and telling stories.
What’s your favorite thing outside of school?
I like the outdoors, bonfires, and walks in the woods.
What do you think about physical violence?
I believe that people are changed by connection with people.
What's your biggest success?
The Alt. School but I obviously don't deserve all the credit. My kids of course.
What do you think about social media
It can be used for good but it isn't most of the time.
What state did you grow up in?
Texas.
How did you move up Candor?
My husband is from Tioga Center.
Did you go to college and if so where?
I went for a short period of time to Rick’s College in Idaho, until I left to help my family.
What was your last job before the Alt School?
I ran a home daycare and before that I worked at Lockheed Martin as an Executive Administrative Assistant to the General Manager of the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter.
Bitcoin: Where do we go from here? - 5/3/18
Since I wrote my article regarding Bitcoin in late December of 2017, the cryptocurrency has declined over 60 or so percent. Bitcoin started off at the top of the charts, with values reaching close to 20,000 dollars a coin. Since then, the value has been steadily going down. This is due to signs of bull market exhaustion. Bull market exhaustion is when people can’t become any more excited. They become so interested in a certain investment that it shoots the price up to the point where it can’t get any higher due to the fact that everyone who wanted to buy has already bought their shares. The price becomes exhausted and sellers outnumber buyers.
Bitcoin may have been somewhat of a failed trial, but the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology could be here to stay for future investments. In my last article I explained briefly of what the blockchain technology was. Blockchain is basically like a personalized online bank without the teller; it’s as if you controlled your own transactions. Those transactions are recorded across the network and integrated into the blockchain; this gets rid of the hassle of having to go through banks. Unlike banks and credit cards, when you use a cryptocurrency you are eliminating any and all transaction fees. This will save a lot of time and money for most people. Blockchain could possibly help the working class all over the world by making it cheaper for families to send money internationally to each other without having to pay fees or go through a middle man.
The bitcoin bubble has definitely burst since I wrote my previous article, but there are many that are in denial about this and believe that the bubble is going to make another dramatic rise again. It’s certainly a possibility, but in my opinion the chances of this happening are slim. Another possibility that could lead to the end of bitcoin could be the government issuing their own cryptocurrency in an attempt to control and regulate the money.
-Robert Wintermute
Since I wrote my article regarding Bitcoin in late December of 2017, the cryptocurrency has declined over 60 or so percent. Bitcoin started off at the top of the charts, with values reaching close to 20,000 dollars a coin. Since then, the value has been steadily going down. This is due to signs of bull market exhaustion. Bull market exhaustion is when people can’t become any more excited. They become so interested in a certain investment that it shoots the price up to the point where it can’t get any higher due to the fact that everyone who wanted to buy has already bought their shares. The price becomes exhausted and sellers outnumber buyers.
Bitcoin may have been somewhat of a failed trial, but the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology could be here to stay for future investments. In my last article I explained briefly of what the blockchain technology was. Blockchain is basically like a personalized online bank without the teller; it’s as if you controlled your own transactions. Those transactions are recorded across the network and integrated into the blockchain; this gets rid of the hassle of having to go through banks. Unlike banks and credit cards, when you use a cryptocurrency you are eliminating any and all transaction fees. This will save a lot of time and money for most people. Blockchain could possibly help the working class all over the world by making it cheaper for families to send money internationally to each other without having to pay fees or go through a middle man.
The bitcoin bubble has definitely burst since I wrote my previous article, but there are many that are in denial about this and believe that the bubble is going to make another dramatic rise again. It’s certainly a possibility, but in my opinion the chances of this happening are slim. Another possibility that could lead to the end of bitcoin could be the government issuing their own cryptocurrency in an attempt to control and regulate the money.
-Robert Wintermute
Fun Fact: A small child could swim through the veins of a blue whale.
Greenhouse Update - 5/3/18
The day has come... What we've all been waiting for... The greenhouse is finally finished! Because of the surprisingly long and drawn out winter, finishing the construction was a bit of a challenge but we've successfully accomplished an amazingly operational greenhouse; home to the plants we'll be growing. During the winter though, we finished our larger aquaponics set-up down in the shop if you're interested in taking a look. There are an abundance of plants growing in the top of the system while the fish are in the 20 gallon tanks at the bottom.
-Makenna Raspantini
The day has come... What we've all been waiting for... The greenhouse is finally finished! Because of the surprisingly long and drawn out winter, finishing the construction was a bit of a challenge but we've successfully accomplished an amazingly operational greenhouse; home to the plants we'll be growing. During the winter though, we finished our larger aquaponics set-up down in the shop if you're interested in taking a look. There are an abundance of plants growing in the top of the system while the fish are in the 20 gallon tanks at the bottom.
-Makenna Raspantini
Fun Fact: About 8,000 Americans are injured by musical instruments each year.
The Renewable Energy Boom - 4/16/18
It's common sense to want to "go green" these days where countless damage has been done to our ecosystems and sustainability that threaten our very own lives and how the future will be. The only problem is, well, money. For companies and corporations to convert to renewable energy sources costs millions and sometimes billions. Recently though, prices have gone down and there has been fortunately a big "boom" in the installation of renewable energy sources such as solar panels and solar fields, wind mills, the use of hydropower, and geothermal energy. Fossil fuels are the main source of energy and they contribute immensely to global warming and are non-renewable resources, meaning it won't last forever while these renewable energy alternatives could.
Mainstream companies like Google, Apple, Target, Facebook, Starbucks and so, so many more have decided to go green and switch over to renewable energy to start a bandwagon effect of wanting sustainability for our Earth. The cheaper it gets, the more corporations want to buy it the first chance they get. Hopefully that effect will keep happening until fossil fuels no longer are our main source of energy and renewable resources are. The main idea though is to make our home planet a healthier and happier place and maybe this will lead a revolution where wars over natural resources stop, climate change is less of a risk, and pollution and other negative impacts of our various human activities gradually falter. It’s important to treat our planet and its inhabitants to the best of our ability and the fact we have the technology to do so is literally a life-changing development.
-Makenna Raspantini
It's common sense to want to "go green" these days where countless damage has been done to our ecosystems and sustainability that threaten our very own lives and how the future will be. The only problem is, well, money. For companies and corporations to convert to renewable energy sources costs millions and sometimes billions. Recently though, prices have gone down and there has been fortunately a big "boom" in the installation of renewable energy sources such as solar panels and solar fields, wind mills, the use of hydropower, and geothermal energy. Fossil fuels are the main source of energy and they contribute immensely to global warming and are non-renewable resources, meaning it won't last forever while these renewable energy alternatives could.
Mainstream companies like Google, Apple, Target, Facebook, Starbucks and so, so many more have decided to go green and switch over to renewable energy to start a bandwagon effect of wanting sustainability for our Earth. The cheaper it gets, the more corporations want to buy it the first chance they get. Hopefully that effect will keep happening until fossil fuels no longer are our main source of energy and renewable resources are. The main idea though is to make our home planet a healthier and happier place and maybe this will lead a revolution where wars over natural resources stop, climate change is less of a risk, and pollution and other negative impacts of our various human activities gradually falter. It’s important to treat our planet and its inhabitants to the best of our ability and the fact we have the technology to do so is literally a life-changing development.
-Makenna Raspantini
Fun Fact: The ruling monarch (The Queen) owns all of the swans in England.
The Cabbage Experiment - 2/23/18
The students at Candor Alt School were able to get some quality time in the lab this afternoon which everyone enjoyed. The experiment conducted was called "the red cabbage experiment", where red cabbage is boiled/blended down to make a purplish juice that acts as a neutral base for testing pH levels. Our experiment involved various liquids, such as lemon juice, soap, milk, isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, etc. By pouring in 40 milliliters of "cabbage juice" into 200 milliliters of any liquid of your choice, you can see the acidity in the color of the concoction. For instance, when we poured the cabbage juice into the beaker of vinegar, it came out red. Red indicates something highly acidic, reaching a 2 on the 0-14 scale. 0 being acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being basic. This lab went along with our aquaponics agenda (which you can read about in earlier articles found on this page) where we will need to check the pH of the water to make sure it's ready for our fish and plants.
-Makenna Raspantini
-Makenna Raspantini
Fun Fact: Robert Wintermute has a part time job as a mad scientist named Dr. Robot, I guess.
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens - 1/30/18
Earlier this month I had the privilege of visiting California, and among the many things I did, I walked through an iconic west coast adventure - the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. It was like a jungle and a sandy desert both at the same time which is suited for all the different animals they have there. Although zoos are infamous for mistreatment and neglect, this one takes special care of the animals they have there, where they protect critically endangered species and make comfy homes for populated ones.
One animal that really caught my eye was the western lowland gorilla. This species is unfortunately critically endangered but the LA Zoo takes appropriate measures to keep them safe and healthy in a group (or troop) where the gorillas bond with each other and play in their enclosure. When I was observing them, I noticed how similar they are to us. A larger gorilla and a younger, smaller one - assuming they were mother and child - were hiding from the sun and cuddling while the larger one combed through the smaller ones hair. On the other side of the enclosure on top of a rock, a large gorilla was laying on its back and relaxing in the sun. I spotted maybe three other medium sized ones playing around in the shade as if they were teenagers messing around which was definitely interesting to see.
Off to the side there was a smaller gorilla sitting in the corner eating and I couldn't help but sit next to it and try to communicate with it; however as you can see in the picture below, it cared way more about the food than my hand... which is okay, because a lot of humans are the same and don't like to be bothered when they're hungry. Over all though it was an amazing experience and a sight to see. If you're ever in the southern California area, take the time to stop at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens and visit all of the beautiful animals there and learn more about them because the animals you see may be more like us than you think.
-Makenna Raspantini
Earlier this month I had the privilege of visiting California, and among the many things I did, I walked through an iconic west coast adventure - the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. It was like a jungle and a sandy desert both at the same time which is suited for all the different animals they have there. Although zoos are infamous for mistreatment and neglect, this one takes special care of the animals they have there, where they protect critically endangered species and make comfy homes for populated ones.
One animal that really caught my eye was the western lowland gorilla. This species is unfortunately critically endangered but the LA Zoo takes appropriate measures to keep them safe and healthy in a group (or troop) where the gorillas bond with each other and play in their enclosure. When I was observing them, I noticed how similar they are to us. A larger gorilla and a younger, smaller one - assuming they were mother and child - were hiding from the sun and cuddling while the larger one combed through the smaller ones hair. On the other side of the enclosure on top of a rock, a large gorilla was laying on its back and relaxing in the sun. I spotted maybe three other medium sized ones playing around in the shade as if they were teenagers messing around which was definitely interesting to see.
Off to the side there was a smaller gorilla sitting in the corner eating and I couldn't help but sit next to it and try to communicate with it; however as you can see in the picture below, it cared way more about the food than my hand... which is okay, because a lot of humans are the same and don't like to be bothered when they're hungry. Over all though it was an amazing experience and a sight to see. If you're ever in the southern California area, take the time to stop at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens and visit all of the beautiful animals there and learn more about them because the animals you see may be more like us than you think.
-Makenna Raspantini
Sources: https://wwcdn.weddingwire.com/vendor/25001_30000/29662/thumbnails/1200x1200_1438731877514-la-zoo.jpg
Fun Fact: Gorillas share approximately 98% of our DNA.
Fun Fact: Gorillas share approximately 98% of our DNA.
Super Blue Blood Moon - 1/29/18
This coming Wednesday on January 31, a rare phase of the moon will appear in our sky that hasn't happened in over 150 years. Not only will it be a super moon, but a blood moon as well along with an awesome lunar eclipse. The "blue" stands for a second full moon in one month and a "blood moon" stands for the moon in total eclipse where the moon takes a reddish hue from the sunlight refracting off of the earth's atmosphere. A super moon is when the moon is closest to Earth, in turn making it 14 percent more visible than usual and appearing significantly larger. The reason why all of these events are possible to occur together is because of a lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse takes place 2-4 times a year where the moon passes behind Earth in its umbra and the sun is exactly on the other side, causing a lunar eclipse where the moon in the earth's umbra is no longer visible for the time being. This is definitely a sight to see, and it might be the only time this event happens in our lifetime so grab a few blankets and go sit outside the early hours of the 31st to witness a beautiful lunar masterpiece.
-Makenna Raspantini
This coming Wednesday on January 31, a rare phase of the moon will appear in our sky that hasn't happened in over 150 years. Not only will it be a super moon, but a blood moon as well along with an awesome lunar eclipse. The "blue" stands for a second full moon in one month and a "blood moon" stands for the moon in total eclipse where the moon takes a reddish hue from the sunlight refracting off of the earth's atmosphere. A super moon is when the moon is closest to Earth, in turn making it 14 percent more visible than usual and appearing significantly larger. The reason why all of these events are possible to occur together is because of a lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse takes place 2-4 times a year where the moon passes behind Earth in its umbra and the sun is exactly on the other side, causing a lunar eclipse where the moon in the earth's umbra is no longer visible for the time being. This is definitely a sight to see, and it might be the only time this event happens in our lifetime so grab a few blankets and go sit outside the early hours of the 31st to witness a beautiful lunar masterpiece.
-Makenna Raspantini
Sources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5324393/Rare-super-blue-blood-moon-visible-Wednesday.html
https://www.space.com/39517-super-blue-blood-moon-2018-phases-explained.html
Fun Fact: Earth's moon is the fifth largest moon in the solar system.
https://www.space.com/39517-super-blue-blood-moon-2018-phases-explained.html
Fun Fact: Earth's moon is the fifth largest moon in the solar system.
Bitcoin: Currency of Tomorrow, or Another Financial Bubble? - 12/19/17
Bitcoin has gone up almost 2,000 percent this year, with prices per coin being as high as 19,000 dollars. But could this bubble be just about ready to pop? For those who don’t know about Bitcoin, it’s an online “cryptocurrency”: a digital currency with encryption codes. The cryptocurrency is believed to be the future of currency due to the fact that it has a built in ledger that logs and tracks your transactions to help prevent double charging. This makes transferring money online effortless, safer, and less expensive than going through a bank or credit card.
The cryptocurrency is currently booming in trade, as well as many other cryptocurrencies, but the bubble could possibly be on it's way to bursting just like many other financial bubbles of the past. These include the tulip bubble crash of the early 1600’s, when people in Europe drove up tulip prices to insane levels, and the south sea bubble crash of 1711, when people invested in merchant shipping.
A bubble starts when media and other people believe that a certain thing they’re investing in will be the investment everyone wants. In the 1920’s, people believed that radios, phonographs, cars, and telephones would be the ultimate change in the world, so they started to invest. The mania drove up prices more than what the actual value was and once this was realized, it caused the stock prices to plummet, making everyones stock values shoot down. Bitcoin has done a similar thing, as it has grown in value dramatically over a short period of time. The value is so high that many believe it’s almost to its maximum point before it collapses and causes people to lose all their money. So, if you’re considering purchasing one of these cryptocurrencies, be advised that you might be taking a risk that you can’t afford to make.
-Robert Wintermute
Bitcoin has gone up almost 2,000 percent this year, with prices per coin being as high as 19,000 dollars. But could this bubble be just about ready to pop? For those who don’t know about Bitcoin, it’s an online “cryptocurrency”: a digital currency with encryption codes. The cryptocurrency is believed to be the future of currency due to the fact that it has a built in ledger that logs and tracks your transactions to help prevent double charging. This makes transferring money online effortless, safer, and less expensive than going through a bank or credit card.
The cryptocurrency is currently booming in trade, as well as many other cryptocurrencies, but the bubble could possibly be on it's way to bursting just like many other financial bubbles of the past. These include the tulip bubble crash of the early 1600’s, when people in Europe drove up tulip prices to insane levels, and the south sea bubble crash of 1711, when people invested in merchant shipping.
A bubble starts when media and other people believe that a certain thing they’re investing in will be the investment everyone wants. In the 1920’s, people believed that radios, phonographs, cars, and telephones would be the ultimate change in the world, so they started to invest. The mania drove up prices more than what the actual value was and once this was realized, it caused the stock prices to plummet, making everyones stock values shoot down. Bitcoin has done a similar thing, as it has grown in value dramatically over a short period of time. The value is so high that many believe it’s almost to its maximum point before it collapses and causes people to lose all their money. So, if you’re considering purchasing one of these cryptocurrencies, be advised that you might be taking a risk that you can’t afford to make.
-Robert Wintermute
Fun Fact: A flock of crows is known as a murder.
Aquaponics - 12/18/17
At the Alt School where we take on a bunch of different sciences, we're currently studying aquaponics. Aquaponics is the self-sustaining system of aquatic animals and plants where the two are in a symbiotic relationship. The plants provide nutrients to the fish and vice versa. The set-up we currently have is fairly simple. It includes mason jars, guppies, gravel, fish food, a simple aeration system with an air pump and tubing, and a plant. The plant sits on top of the jar with a strainer to separate the soil from the water to avoid the soil from breaking down into the water and destroying the set-up, yet also providing a safe barrier that won't disrupt the symbiotic relationship. The bigger set up we're doing is underway with a 10-gallon tank that will most likely include goldfish, however you can use any freshwater fish if you research their requirements, such as water temperature. Aquaponics is definitely something a person with an interest in nature, biology, and sustaining a friendly aquarium should try out. It's fun and educational to see the way a symbiotic relationship works while also caring for aquatic animals and possibly growing your own crops at the same time.
-Makenna Raspantini
At the Alt School where we take on a bunch of different sciences, we're currently studying aquaponics. Aquaponics is the self-sustaining system of aquatic animals and plants where the two are in a symbiotic relationship. The plants provide nutrients to the fish and vice versa. The set-up we currently have is fairly simple. It includes mason jars, guppies, gravel, fish food, a simple aeration system with an air pump and tubing, and a plant. The plant sits on top of the jar with a strainer to separate the soil from the water to avoid the soil from breaking down into the water and destroying the set-up, yet also providing a safe barrier that won't disrupt the symbiotic relationship. The bigger set up we're doing is underway with a 10-gallon tank that will most likely include goldfish, however you can use any freshwater fish if you research their requirements, such as water temperature. Aquaponics is definitely something a person with an interest in nature, biology, and sustaining a friendly aquarium should try out. It's fun and educational to see the way a symbiotic relationship works while also caring for aquatic animals and possibly growing your own crops at the same time.
-Makenna Raspantini
Sources: https://organicdailypost.com/aquaponics-101/
Fun Fact: The first animals sent into space were fruit flies, which were recovered alive.
Fun Fact: The first animals sent into space were fruit flies, which were recovered alive.
Mysterious Object in Space - 11/22/17
Astronomers have discovered something foreign in our solar system after spotting an odd light in the sky that appeared to be an ancient comet. However, when they used a Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii, they found an extremely elongated asteroid of metallic and rocky materials that's completely unknown to our solar system, indicating that it's traveled millions upon millions of years and is an interstellar object. The color of the asteroid is a dark red which is similar to the objects in our own solar system and evidence shows that the asteroid (now named "Oumuamua") is capable of harboring organic materials, which is the theory of how life on Earth started after an asteroid containing organic matter collided with Earth. Before this discovery, it was unknown to us if we shared a similar solar system with another part of the galaxy but after Oumuamua's greeting to our solar system, we now have solid evidence supporting that our solar system isn't one of a kind and it also pushes the idea of possible extraterrestrial life in our same galaxy. Not to mention the other 100 billion known galaxies in our universe that is currently an open question, but who knows, at any time another traveling interstellar or even intergalactic object could pass our very own Earth, so keep your eyes open. You could be the eyes of the next universal discovery.
-Makenna Raspantini
Astronomers have discovered something foreign in our solar system after spotting an odd light in the sky that appeared to be an ancient comet. However, when they used a Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii, they found an extremely elongated asteroid of metallic and rocky materials that's completely unknown to our solar system, indicating that it's traveled millions upon millions of years and is an interstellar object. The color of the asteroid is a dark red which is similar to the objects in our own solar system and evidence shows that the asteroid (now named "Oumuamua") is capable of harboring organic materials, which is the theory of how life on Earth started after an asteroid containing organic matter collided with Earth. Before this discovery, it was unknown to us if we shared a similar solar system with another part of the galaxy but after Oumuamua's greeting to our solar system, we now have solid evidence supporting that our solar system isn't one of a kind and it also pushes the idea of possible extraterrestrial life in our same galaxy. Not to mention the other 100 billion known galaxies in our universe that is currently an open question, but who knows, at any time another traveling interstellar or even intergalactic object could pass our very own Earth, so keep your eyes open. You could be the eyes of the next universal discovery.
-Makenna Raspantini
An artist's interpretation of Oumuamua.
Sources: https://www.space.com/38838-interstellar-asteroid-oumuamua-space-cigar.html
https://www.space.com/13172-7-surprising-universe-facts.html
Fun Fact: There could be more than one universe. The idea that we live in a multiverse, in which our universe is one of many, comes from a theory called eternal inflation, which suggests that shortly after the Big Bang, space-time expanded at different rates in different places. According to the theory, this gave rise to bubble universes that could function with their own separate laws of physics.
Sources: https://www.space.com/38838-interstellar-asteroid-oumuamua-space-cigar.html
https://www.space.com/13172-7-surprising-universe-facts.html
Fun Fact: There could be more than one universe. The idea that we live in a multiverse, in which our universe is one of many, comes from a theory called eternal inflation, which suggests that shortly after the Big Bang, space-time expanded at different rates in different places. According to the theory, this gave rise to bubble universes that could function with their own separate laws of physics.
Modern Technology: Scary or Awesome? - 11/20/17
Ever since computer technology surfaced, the efforts to create robotics surfaced as well. The idea of having something programmed to specifically suit your needs is a human's dream; whether it's to call your mom, get you a drink, shut your windows, drive you to work, or even be a companion. Today, all of that is possible. You have Siri on your iPhone, self-driving cars, smart houses, and Sophia. You may be wondering, "Who's Sophia, and what is she?". Technically, she's you and me and just about every other person in the world because that's exactly what she's programmed to be. The AI robot has even been granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia, establishing human rights and every other privilege that comes with citizenship. You can learn more about Sophia in the video below where she chats with one of her creators. Beware: This is about the creepiest thing you'll see. Ever.
-Makenna Raspantini
Ever since computer technology surfaced, the efforts to create robotics surfaced as well. The idea of having something programmed to specifically suit your needs is a human's dream; whether it's to call your mom, get you a drink, shut your windows, drive you to work, or even be a companion. Today, all of that is possible. You have Siri on your iPhone, self-driving cars, smart houses, and Sophia. You may be wondering, "Who's Sophia, and what is she?". Technically, she's you and me and just about every other person in the world because that's exactly what she's programmed to be. The AI robot has even been granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia, establishing human rights and every other privilege that comes with citizenship. You can learn more about Sophia in the video below where she chats with one of her creators. Beware: This is about the creepiest thing you'll see. Ever.
-Makenna Raspantini
Fun Fact: Artificial intelligence is intelligence displayed by machines in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and animals.
Constructing the Greenhouse - 11/9/17
This past week, the Alt School has been beginning to put together and construct the greenhouse, as well as beginning to map out the garden. We've been slightly delayed considering the poor weather the past few weeks, however we've been squeezing in any time we can get! Last week we finished staining/polyurethaning the wood and this week, we fought through the cold and put some of it up already. Check out our progress so far!
-Makenna Raspantini
This past week, the Alt School has been beginning to put together and construct the greenhouse, as well as beginning to map out the garden. We've been slightly delayed considering the poor weather the past few weeks, however we've been squeezing in any time we can get! Last week we finished staining/polyurethaning the wood and this week, we fought through the cold and put some of it up already. Check out our progress so far!
-Makenna Raspantini
Fun Fact: A single cloud can weigh more than 1 million pounds.
The Origins of Halloween - 10/31/17
Halloween, or "All Hallows' Eve", is a holiday celebrated across world with costumes and candy at the end of October. However, Halloween hasn't always been celebrated as lightly as that. Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The 31st of October and the first of November marked the end of harvest and the beginning to a cold, harsh Winter. The Celts believed that those two days marked the time period where the spirits and ghosts of the dead returned to Earth, so the Druids (Celtic priests/leaders) would hold bonfires and sacrifice animals while wearing costumes (typically animal heads or animal skins) to ask for guidance through the long winter or to see predictions for the future. Throughout history and to this day, Halloween is celebrated differently in different cultures and religions, but what remains traditionally the same is that the dead are free to roam the Earth on the evening of All Hallows' Eve. Spooky!
-Makenna Raspantini
Halloween, or "All Hallows' Eve", is a holiday celebrated across world with costumes and candy at the end of October. However, Halloween hasn't always been celebrated as lightly as that. Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The 31st of October and the first of November marked the end of harvest and the beginning to a cold, harsh Winter. The Celts believed that those two days marked the time period where the spirits and ghosts of the dead returned to Earth, so the Druids (Celtic priests/leaders) would hold bonfires and sacrifice animals while wearing costumes (typically animal heads or animal skins) to ask for guidance through the long winter or to see predictions for the future. Throughout history and to this day, Halloween is celebrated differently in different cultures and religions, but what remains traditionally the same is that the dead are free to roam the Earth on the evening of All Hallows' Eve. Spooky!
-Makenna Raspantini
Sources:
http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween
https://topofvt.com/events/newports-all-hallows-eve-110
Fun Fact: The "Troxler Effect" is an optical illusion where if you stare at a mirror for 10 minutes, you start to see your face deforming, creating an "imaginary monster".
Bonus Spooky Fact: The reasoning behind being buried six feet under the ground started back during the plague when the effort to limit the spread of the illness was at an all time high. It was mandated that every body be buried six feet under the ground and it's become the standard grave measurement since then.
http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween
https://topofvt.com/events/newports-all-hallows-eve-110
Fun Fact: The "Troxler Effect" is an optical illusion where if you stare at a mirror for 10 minutes, you start to see your face deforming, creating an "imaginary monster".
Bonus Spooky Fact: The reasoning behind being buried six feet under the ground started back during the plague when the effort to limit the spread of the illness was at an all time high. It was mandated that every body be buried six feet under the ground and it's become the standard grave measurement since then.
A Game Store in Candor? 10/20/17
Kazon Cards and Games in Candor has opened up, and it's possibly the coolest thing to happen here in the last decade. It started off as an online store selling and buying used items and as of earlier this month, it's opened up right in front of Candor Central Schools on Main Street. It's filled with various kinds of inventory and a welcoming, fun atmosphere for all ages. The inventory includes collectibles, miniature games, comics, cards and so much more. Not only that, but they have tons of events that go on throughout the week, such as games like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic and occasional meet-and-greets with famous icons in comics/gaming. I had the privilege of interviewing the owner, John Tufarella, and this is what he had to say about the new store and about the future of the store.
-Makenna Raspantini
What made you decide to open a shop? “I’ve been a gamer my whole life and it’s something I’ve wanted to do my whole life and it got to the point where I could do it so here we are.”
Where are you from originally and why did you decide to open a shop here in Candor? “Well I’m from Candor, born and raised and all three of my kids go to the elementary school so you can’t really ask for a better place than this.”
When did you become interested in gaming and comics? “Comics, probably younger but miniatures and gaming, probably about 6 or 7.”
What’s your favorite game or comic? “My favorite game is the World War II bolt action miniatures game and my favorite comics would probably have to be X-Men (all of them).”
What things do you like to collect personally? “Star Trek. Star Trek is definitely my passion, we even had one of the guys here for a meet-and-greet the other day.”
What inspired the name of the shop? “Well Kazon is actually influenced from Star Trek. In Star Trek Voyager, there was actually an alien race called Kazon and it was a nickname I got stuck with years ago in a gaming group I was apart of down in Endicott and it just fit.”
Who influences you personally and why? “One of the authors I grew up reading, a guy named Gav Thorpe who writes for a company called Black Library does a lot of Warhammer 40k books which are science-fiction fantasy and he was always my inspiration for reading and I actually can call him a friend now because I’ve met him and hung out with him numerous times. So yeah, he’s definitely one of my main inspirations.”
What type of events do you plan on having here? “Anything that the community wants to have honestly. We had a bolt action event here last night and it was a demo-night for people who aren’t familiar with the game and wanted to learn and try it out. I will do anything from Bolt Action, Warhammer, HeroClix into card games, magic and board games. It’s pretty open, whatever people want to come in and play, by all means.”
What kind of inventory do you plan on having? “A little bit of everything but the primary focus here in Candor seems to be D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) and Magic. We can special order anything too that we don’t have in stock but that people want. We will definitely jump into video gaming and movies a little bit down the road.”
What are the challenges of opening up a business in a small town and what strategies do you use to advertise yourself? “Well a lot of people don’t know we’re here or what we’re doing so hopefully this (interview) will help spread it around school. Social media also is a big help, we’ve got a Facebook page and a group page.”
Do you plan on expanding and where do you see the business in 5 years? “Expansion is always the goal, theoretically that should be the goal for any business, you never wanna get stagnant. The whole thing started off online as buying and selling used stuff on eBay and on Facebook. I did that when I was injured and couldn’t actually work and it’s what started steamrolling into this (the store). Theoretically I’d love to be in a bigger location and expand more and no matter what, I wanna try to keep this here in town (Candor). .. If I can get to the point where I can actually start hiring people, that’d be great.”
Here's a photo of the store from their Facebook page, https://m.facebook.com/KazonCards/
If you'd like to stay caught up in their events and see what's new, go give the page a like and join their group on Facebook! |
If you're interested in stopping by, they're located on 80 Main Street Candor, NY 13743.
Fun Fact: Astronauts describe space as smelling like seared steak, hot metal, and welding fumes.
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The Greenhouse Project - 10/19/17
The Candor Alt School is known for being, well, an alternative to traditional school in a way that supplements today's youth in a more progressive and useful way. Along with learning about sustainable agriculture and combining applied math, the Alt School has been working on a greenhouse in the Candor High School's shop which also provides basic construction skills that everyone should have experience in. Here's a gallery of pictures capturing the students engaging in valuable lessons and working in the shop.
-Makenna Raspantini
The Candor Alt School is known for being, well, an alternative to traditional school in a way that supplements today's youth in a more progressive and useful way. Along with learning about sustainable agriculture and combining applied math, the Alt School has been working on a greenhouse in the Candor High School's shop which also provides basic construction skills that everyone should have experience in. Here's a gallery of pictures capturing the students engaging in valuable lessons and working in the shop.
-Makenna Raspantini
Fun Fact: When hippos are upset, their sweat turns red.
The History of Candor - 10/9/17
People first settled in Candor, New York in 1794, however Candor was not yet established because it was apart of the town of Spencer. It wasn't until 1811 when Candor separated from Spencer and became it's own village. Candor immediately became a religious and industrial location; filled with churches, mills, schools and various businesses. Not much has changed in the past two centuries - Candor is still a small, tight-knit community that runs on farming operations and small businesses. If you walk around town, you can see a piece of history everywhere; such as the congregational church by the Candor Library that was established in the early 1800's that still operates today and many other structures such as the buildings on Main Street that still stand.
-Makenna Raspantini
People first settled in Candor, New York in 1794, however Candor was not yet established because it was apart of the town of Spencer. It wasn't until 1811 when Candor separated from Spencer and became it's own village. Candor immediately became a religious and industrial location; filled with churches, mills, schools and various businesses. Not much has changed in the past two centuries - Candor is still a small, tight-knit community that runs on farming operations and small businesses. If you walk around town, you can see a piece of history everywhere; such as the congregational church by the Candor Library that was established in the early 1800's that still operates today and many other structures such as the buildings on Main Street that still stand.
-Makenna Raspantini
Sources: https://candorhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/candors-history.html
Fun Fact: Did you know Antarctica is a desert?
Fun Fact: Did you know Antarctica is a desert?