Chloe
Chloe, WV · Local Life
Athens Messenger
Two local band directors selected to perform with "Band Directors Marching Band"
Two local band directors will perform with the “Band Directors Marching Band” in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 1, 2026, for the Tournament of Roses Parade. Terry Robb, a retired band director from the Nelsonville-York City School District, and Aaron Backes, the band director for the Athens City School District, were selected to join a marching band of more than 350 band directors from across North America in the Pasadena Rose Parade. Robb will play the mellophone and Backes will play the alto saxophone. The Band Directors Marching Band will accompany a colorful, animated float along the 5.5-mile parade route, according to a press release received by The Messenger. The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will convey the theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.” to recognize the “extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors and music educators everywhere,” according to the press release. “Throughout their careers, the music educators in this band have collectively mentored and taught hundreds of thousands of students. These professionals not only teach and conduct music, they teach about life itself,” the press release says. The theme of the float, “Banding Together,” recognizes the students, teachers and communities who band together to
Athens Messenger
Jaime Lupercio discusses the importance of sound design in storytelling
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — An Ohio University professor will lend his talents in sound design to a bilingual musical adaptation of a classic children’s book. Jaime Lupercio , an assistant professor of sound at the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, is serving as sound designer for “Go, Dog. Go! • Ve Perro ¡Ve!” This bilingual adaptation of P.D. Eastman’s “Go, Dog. Go!” will run from Jan. 20 to Feb. 22, 2026 at the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The decision to pursue a bilingual adaptation of P.D. Eastman’s book was made in an effort to appeal to both English and Spanish-speaking audiences and to stress the universality of play and joy, playwrights Allison Gregory and Steven Dietz explained. “This project was born of our desire to see two of those languages braided together onstage, side-by-side, in a show that seeks to welcome, instruct, surprise, and delight,” Gregory and Dietz said. “We’re thrilled to share this joyful adaptation with CTC’s eager audience.” Because the original book the play is based on contains few words, much of the story will be told through the incorporation of music and physical humor, Juliette Carrillo, the director of the play, explained. Rehearsals
unearththevoyage.com
West Virginia Local Hotspot Where Hot Dogs Are Anything but Ordinary
Tucked along the Ohio River Road, Hillbilly Hot Dogs looks like a roadside fever dream you cannot forget. Junkyard treasures, license plates, and a school bus dining room set the stage for hot dogs that punch way above their price tag. You come for the kitsch and stay for the chili, onions, and slaw that turn simple dogs into legends. If you love flavor, fun, and a story to tell, this spot will grab your appetite and your heart.
milesplit.com
POLL: National Girl Cross Country Poll Performer of the Year
After three months of cross country racing, the fastest girls on the high school circuit can finally take a break from rewriting the record books week after week. From Athens (Ohio) standout Sophia Szolosi opening the season up with a statement win under the lights in August, to Moriarty (N.M.) star Carmen Dorsey-Spitz claiming the Brooks West XC Championship just last week, this season truly had it all.
Parkersburg News & Sentinel
Belpre Christmas Crawl draws families for full day of holiday activities
BELPRE – Belpre streets were busy Saturday as residents and visitors took part in the city’s Christmas Crawl, a daylong holiday event that combined shopping, fundraisers and family activities. Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella said the event brought together multiple community groups while encouraging people to shop locally. “It’s...
Only In Your State
This Cozy Ohio Airbnb Is Straight Out of a Hallmark Movie
Believe it or not, there have been quite a few Hallmark movies set in the great state of Ohio. Some of them even have an Ohio city in the title, like Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, where an Amish town, a runaway baseball player, and a mystery all swirl together in a way that only […]
Parkersburg News & Sentinel
Parkersburg man wins Monster Trout Contest
PARKERSBURG — A Parkersburg man was a winner in the Monster Trout Contest sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Cameron Irizarry was among five fishermen who caught a specially tagged trout that was stocked from Oct. 20-27. The winners were chosen in a random drawing of those who submitted a photo of their catch with the pink tag.
pickaway.com
Watt Street Tavern in Circleville, Ohio: A Local Favorite Worth the Visit
If you are searching for a place to eat in Circleville, Ohio that locals genuinely love, Watt Street Tavern should be high on your list. Since opening in 2015, Watt Street Tavern has earned its reputation as a go-to restaurant for good food, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere. It is the kind of place people recommend because they actually go there themselves.
WHIZ
Zanesville student Breleigh Curtis signs contract for upcoming TV series
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Earlier this year, we got a behind-the-scenes look at Zanesville’s own Breleigh Curtis, better known as Breleigh Rael, chasing her dreams. Curtis, a student in the Zanesville City School District, is officially on the road to stardom. Just before Thanksgiving, the young performer was offered a two-year contract and signed it in front of friends, family, and supporters.
iheart.com
Annual Orchestral Christmas Concert is this Sunday in Chillicothe
The annual “Holiday Pops Spectacular” with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Ross County Choir, and Chillicothe High School Orchestra will be this Sunday afternoon. Scott Graham, executive director of the Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation, said it is a “signature holiday event” even though it is only a five-year tradition. After Ohio University Chillicothe’s gym at Shoemaker Center hosts a basketball game tonight, Graham will oversee its transformation into a concert hall.
iheart.com
Live Christmas Music on Sunday is Only One of Many Holiday Events in Area
(Update - with about 4 1/2 inches of snow now predicted to start about noon Saturday, make sure any events you plan to attend have not been postponed or cancelled!) The Chillicothe Civic Theatre presents a “Broadway Version” of “A Christmas Carol” at 7:00 Friday and Saturday night, and 2pm Sunday.
Times Recorder
Hear 70-voice choir and a 24-member orchestra perform 'The Messiah'
ZANESVILLE − The Zanesville Civic Chorus and Orchestra, sponsored by the Thursday Music Club, will present the 96th annual performance of George F. Handel’s "Messiah" at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Central Trinity United Methodist Church, 62 S. Seventh St. It will feature a 70-member choir and a 24-member orchestra. Ann Lillie Briggs is the director and James McLaughlin is the assistant director. The concert is sponsored by the Thursday Music Club. An open dress rehearsal will take place on Dec. 13 for people who would like to hear the soloists and chorus without the crowd. The soloists will rehearse with the orchestra from 2 to 5 p.m.; the chorus and orchestra will rehearse from 6 to 8 p.m. There is no admission fee for the concert as expenses have been covered by donors. However, a freewill offering will be taken during intermission. This year the offerings will be given to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. The Civic Chorus has given its offerings to local charities since 2002, donating nearly $38,500. This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Hear 70-voice choir and a 24-member orchestra perform 'The Messiah'
fastfoodclub.com
This Ohio Riverfront Bistro Serves Lobster Mac ’N’ Cheese Locals Say Is Worth The Drive To The Riverfront
If you have a soft spot for river views and comfort food with a coastal twist, this Marietta gem is calling your name. The Levee House Bistro plates seafood classics and house favorites in a historic setting that feels special without trying too hard. Locals whisper about the lobster mac n cheese like it is a secret, and visitors quickly understand why it is worth the drive. Come hungry, linger on the porch, and let the river do the rest.
athensindependent.com
Student performers take the spotlight at annual Benefest
ATHENS, Ohio — Two bands from the Afterschool Music and Audio Programs at Stuart’s Opera House performed at The Union and Casa Nueva and Cantina Friday, Nov. 21, during the annual Benefest. Benefest is a long-standing event in Athens that brings together two nights of live, local music in support of area nonprofit organizations.
WOUB
Twenty One Pilots talk Ohio roots, rise to stadium shows, White Stripes’ Rock Hall of Fame induction
LOS ANGELES, California (WOUB) — When WOUB last interviewed Twenty One Pilots, it was just before they played Athens’ 250 person capacity Union Bar & Grill (18 W. Union St.) on January 12, 2012; telling correspondent Jay Campbell that they were on the cusp of signing a record deal they subsequently announced in April.