Power of 32: Improving the Region through Community Conversations

The rain was falling steadily Thursday afternoon, but that didn’t stop numerous students, faculty members, and community members from coming out and experiencing the 'Power of 32'. Facilitated by James Fogarty, this workshop focused on bringing the people of the Frostburg community together to begin improving the region. According to Fogarty, “the purpose of this conversation is to listen to you.”

Fogarty was more a facilitator than a speaker, admitting to the audience that he was following a script. Instead, the audience did the majority of the talking. Members of the audience were seated at tables throughout the area in small groups of 6-8. Within these groups, the audience would discuss topics presented on the Community Conversation Agenda. Topics included:
o Discussion 1: Defining a Thriving Region
o Discussion 2: Challenges and Strengths
o Discussion 3: Possibilities
o Discussion 4: Fast-Forward to our Future
o What is Next?

Members were first given time to reflect and answer the questions presented by Fogarty on these topics, then discuss their ideas with their table. The best ideas where then written onto sticky notes, which were eventually turned in to be entered into the initiative’s database. Before moving on to the next topic, each table would share ideas with the entire group in what Fogarty referred to as ‘call-out’ sessions. This process was the basis of the whole workshop. After all, the main purpose was to gather the ideas of the region’s people. As Fogarty stated, “Your input is what is driving our agenda.”

Community Conversations like this one have been held and are being held all across the region. These Community Conversations are the first of three phases of the 'Power of 32' Regional Agenda. The next two phases, Framing Solutions and Regional Town Meeting, will take the top challenges identified in the conversations and develop options for solving them. Above all, the 'Power of 32' is a regional visioning initiative working towards solving the problems of the Greater Pittsburgh Region and improving the quality of life for all residents. The initiative’s main goals are to create a shared vision influenced by all members of the region, instill a sense of optimism in these same members, and to connect people and communities in a way that will benefit the region. All this will be done by uniting residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, community leaders, and the government. According to the Community Conversations: The Power of Possibility Participant Guide, by the end of 2025 the 'Power of 32' hopes to have created a “high quality of life, economically, socially, & environmentally, opportunities available to all residents, and success throughout the region- rural, exurban, suburban, and urban.”

The 'Power of 32' region consists of 32 counties (including Allegany County), spanning across Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; the region encompasses 17, 380 miles. According to the 'Power of 32', “the region is ten times larger than Rhode Island.” In total, 4.2 million people call this region home. However, the population is not a diverse one. According to Fogarty, “we are still one of the least diverse regions in a country full of diversity.” Along with improving the economy, the initiative also hopes to solve this diversity issue.

For those interested in more information on the 'Power of 32', visit www.powerof32.org or join the Power of 32 Facebook and Twitter groups.

Recreating Maryland one Main Street at a Time
Christine Williams

Main Street Maryland was formed in 1998 by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community development. This program was created to build up old traditional main streets to enhance economic stability. On Thursday September 16, 2010 I went to the Appalachian Festival held here at Frostburg. I enjoyed the presentation, Main Street Maryland, which was discussed by Frostburg’s Main Street Manager, Maureen T. Brewer.

Brewer spoke about four main points in order to rebuild Frostburg’s Main Street. One point was design; Frostburg needs to build up the appearance of historic buildings. By making the commercial buildings more presentable, consumers will be more likely to come to Frostburg and increase our economic status. Another point was fundraising. In order to enhance design we will need to fund raise. One way to fund raise is with Events. One event Brewer mentioned was “Tasting by Rails,” a wine and beer tasting event which will be held on October 22. Promotion also helps fundraising and increases publicity. Main Street Maryland has over 600 fans on Facebook. They host a lot of annual events that promote publicity; Fun things like a Fall and Spring Art Walk, where local artist present their art creations, and FSU Block Party, which brings local town’s people and Frostburg students together for a fun night filled with tasty food, music, and performances. Another event is of course the Application Festival which brought 4000 people to the Frostburg campus in 2009. While interviewing Brewer she stated, “I love to see students give suggestions. I am proud of the campus. Students bring more life to the town.” Brewer knows students are a large part of the population here at Frostburg that is why she was so impressed when the FSU bookstore was opened on Main Street. This continues to get students off campus and onto Main Street. Fund raising also allows Frostburg Hotels to lower their prices which, in return, it promotes tourism. Another point Brewer made was about organization. Managing a large group like this takes a lot of assistance and teamwork between multiple groups and individuals. Some of the groups involved in Frostburg’s main street are the city of Frostburg, Chamber of Commerce, and Frostburg State University. In order to bring multiply groups together there is board meetings held. The last point Brewer spoke about was CLEAN, SAFE, and GREEN. This is where Main Street Maryland wants to be economically friendly when rebuilding the town. Main Street Frostburg even organizes an event called A Day of Caring and Sharing, where over 200 people come together to help clean up the town.

Investing in Main Street Maryland continues to help the student population here at FSU. The student body will eventually have more job opportunities and will continue to have an increase in events to participate in. Main Street Maryland is an amazing program that is dedicated to helping small communities throughout the state their activities have improved twenty-three Maryland towns and have earned over three million dollars in public and private investments. Main Street Maryland has helped create over one thousand new businesses and about four thousand, two hundred new jobs. They’ve made twelve striving, new businesses in Frostburg alone.

(Brewer standing by the Appalachian Festival event sign)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Main-Street-Maryland/131482752504?v=wall&ref=search

Who is Hillary Martin?

Who is Hillary Martin?

by Geoff Krasley-Lawhorne

Hillary Martin was born to Nevada and Karen Martin in Falls Church, Virginia. She has since moved to Temple Hills, Maryland. She has nine siblings, three brothers, Nevada Jr., Martinez, and Carlito, and six sisters, named Candace, Savannah, Autumn, Sarah, Claire, and Haylie.

She is a sophomore at Frostburg State University, and she takes her studies seriously. Hillary considers it her greatest achievement that she was able to keep a 3.4 GPA the last two semesters, saying “I didn’t find college easy”. She is not currently involved in any activities or clubs on campus, instead choosing to focus on her intended dual major of Business and English with a concentration in creative writing. When she is relaxing, she enjoys writing and hanging out with her friends, as well as the occasional romance or mystery novel. She also enjoys watching the shows “The Game” and “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” on the television.

Family is also an important part of Hillary’s life. When I asked her what her greatest adventure in her life so far had been, she said it was “coming to Frostburg, because it was my first time alone. I had no friends up here and I’m usually with one of my sisters. But here, I had to adjust to making new friends and be a little more outgoing than usual.” This closeness with her family is important, but she was able to view this change in her routine as an adventure, rather than an inconvenience or as a frightening experience.

After graduating, Hillary would like to write for, and possibly eventually own, a small magazine or newspaper business, although she is carefully monitoring the decline in printed media and considering her options. She is also interested in travel, and said that if she could live anywhere in the world, she might like Paris, France.

She is not generally interested in politics, though she feels that the ongoing war in Afghanistan and the slow recovery of the economy at home are serious issues. She feels that President Obama has done the best he could in his situation, and she would support him against most if not all Republican challengers if a vote was held today.

Hillary loves puppies, and distrusts cats. She also dislikes loud people who need to be the center of attention, people with dirty fingernails, and the sound of nails on a chalkboard. Furthermore, she is cautious of germs and illness, which is a good concern to have in a college environment. The support of her family and her new friends will no doubt be of great value as she continues her college career.

Geoffrey Scott Krasley-Lawhorne, from Pennsylvania to Frostburg. By Hillary Martin, English 336.002

Geoffrey Scott Krasley-Lawhorne was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He now lives in Fallston, Maryland. He is a senior and transferred to Frostburg State from North Idaho College. Geoffrey decided to transfer because he wanted to be a little closer to home. "I never really had a clear idea of what I wanted to be. I guess I was always interested in being a teacher," Geoffrey says. His interest led him to major in English with the concentration of creative writing. With English as his major, it is no surprise that Geoffrey enjoys reading. His top three books are The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling, and The Most Powerful Idea in the World by William Rosen.

Geoffrey's interest do not only include English and writing. He is an avowed liberal progressive. Most of his news comes from The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and Comedy Central. He listens to anything except country and violent rap. He really enjoys '80s Power Ballads. His favorite sport to watch is American football, and his favorite sport to play is tennis. writing is not his only talent.

Geoffrey spoke passionately as he told me his best memory growing up. "The time my mom and I got in my junky station wagon and went to Pennsylvania to pick up a golden retriever, Ruddy. This was the second retriever. The first my grandparents gave my mom when my dad was sick. I set in the back with the dog the whole two hour drive and he fell asleep on my lap." Geoffrey opened up as he said his dad died when he was three. His mother remarried when he was 11.

It was love at first sight for Geoffrey and Frostburg State University. He laughed as he talked about his first encounter with FSU. "When I was visiting for the first time to decide if I wanted to transfer, while on the tour it started to flurry, and I was like, this is the place!" I always enjoyed cold climates. It was the only place in Maryland where I knew it would be cold enough where I wouldn't get uncomfortable." Since Geoffrey just loves snow, it's no surprise that he does in fact have favorite snow activites. These include "drinking hot cocoa and looking outside and going, man, I bet it sucks to be outside right now!"

Exciting, Empowering, Eventful: Step Afrika!
Patricia Alderton ENGL 336.002

Step Afrika! came to Frostburg State University on September 16, 2010 to perform at the Performing Arts Center in front of two sold out audiences. According to their website they are “the first professional company in the world dedicated to stepping” and there dedication to this art has clearly paid off. The show, a mix of entertainment and education, had the audience members on their feet practicing almost extinct traditional African “steps” while explaining how stepping has become an important part of campuses across the world.
Step Afrika!, performed by 10 artists of mostly African-American heritage, travel the world to educate people about their love of stepping and the African roots it has grown from. The various performers explain how stepping has grown into a college scene, typically performed by predominantly black sororities and fraternities, and has inspired such movies as Stomp the Yard. But stepping has not always been that way, and they make sure that the audience is aware of this fact. Alongside up-beat, high energy steps, they also perform traditional African dances such as the “gumboot dance.”
But the energetic crew is not concerned with only preaching of African beats, but to ensure that every member of the audience knows the importance of three things; teamwork, commitment, and discipline. The performers of Step Afrika believe that to be successful in life you must always remember those three ideals. And it obviously paid off for them because out of the ten performers, seven have degrees from prestigious colleges such as Texas A&M, Elon, And Towson University, while the others have attended art academies for dance.
The performers inspired many of the young children in the audience, but also had a profound effect on the older students as well. Annemarie Turner, a junior attending Frostburg State University, was “blown away by the energy and charismatic presence of the performers.” She was in attendance at the four-thirty viewing and not the nine o’clock one because when she went to purchase her ticket for the later one, she was told that it had already sold out and they had to open the earlier one, meant for a nearby after school program, for Frostburg students. Annemarie said she did not mind seeing the earlier show because she “still got to be a part of it and see how the show inspired children to go to college.” She thought “it was really awesome to see them stepping, because I have seen it on my own campus for certain fraternities and sororities, and I love to see the culture traced back from far.”
While there are many special aspects of Step Afrika’s purpose and performance, something that can be considered the most special is that they take something that is predominatly African American and turn it into something people of all ages and ethnicities can enjoy. Annemarie was standing next to a little girl and the girl’s mother, while seated behind her were a group of all black males. But it is not so inspiring that they were all in the same room together, but what is inspiring is that they were all standing in the same position, with the same smile on their face, learning the same steps from Step Afrika’s crew of traditional African dances. Sixty or seventy years ago, this was unfathomable. In some parts of our country, it is still that way. But the performers of this show made it so natural for a young white girl to dance to African music, and they make these small miracles happen almost every day.

Main Street Maryland

Main Street Maryland

Are you bored on facebook and need something new to do? Become a fan of frostburgfirst. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/FrostburgFirst/190999902540?v=info&ref=search

Frostburgfirst’s page on Facebook is 598 people strong and packed with tons of information on what Maureen Brewer and others have planned on doing to improve Frostburg’s main street.

All throughout Maryland communities who have main streets are working on preserving and restoring our history. “We have a deep history.” Maureen quoted. Maryland Department of housing and Community Development and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center teamed up to develop the Main Street Four Point Approach for commercial revitalization. The four points are: design, organization, promotion, and economic restructuring. With design they want to enhance the look of historic buildings so they look like they used to. The organization is getting people to participate. When promoting with economic restructuring they want to bring in new business to the town. That is already showing much improvement. “Since 2007 there have been twelve new businesses in Frostburg.” Maureen Brewer said. By strengthening the economics’ they can find ways to expand.

In 2008 Main Street Maryland programs added a fifth point: Clean, Safe, and Green. This was started to get neighborhoods to start the principles of Smart Growth and sustainability. The city officials gave $10,000 to the program. The Frostburg Business & Professional Association to gives $10,000. Frostburg state also participates in this movement by giving $ 5,000 a year for the past three years.

FrostburgFirst has many partnerships. Local business, Allegheny Art council, and Maryland department of business just to name a few. Frostburg puts on many annual events. They have both a fall and spring art walk. Last spring they had a turnout of 200 registered people. In the fall they had 500 participants. “More and more people are coming to Frostburg” quoted Fernando Quijano. “We have more people coming to FSU also; we even have a radio commercial!” Over the summer (June 5^th- August 28^th) there was a Saturday on Broadway event. This was not only a good thing for the people of Frostburg to listen to but gave local bands, primarily bluegrass, and a chance to play for everyone to hear. Cruisin’ Main Street was also a very big turnout this year with more than 800 registered cars, and more not signed up. This year the FSU Block party also had one of its biggest crowds. Last year the Appalachian Festival had 4000 attendants hopefully there will be even more this year. Storybook Holiday had 300 children come last year.

When speaking to Dr. Kara Rogers Thomas who is the head honcho that has been running the Appalachian Festival for the past five years said that it is “A heck of a lot of work to pull this all together.” She is very pleased with the turnout so far. Maureen Brewer is “really proud of the students.” She said that the students not only create businesses like the Main Street book store but students help local businesses thrive.

Amanda Everett

Katie White: The Next Great American Novelist

Every so often a great writer comes along, changing the world and literature. Every generation has had one, and this generation’s just might be a student from Frostburg State University: Katie White, a senior at FSU.

Katie, originally from Snow Hill, Maryland, moved to Frostburg in 2007 to gain knowledge that would help her to pursue her dream of becoming a novelist. For her, attending FSU was a way to leave the Eastern Shore and be different from all her fellow high school graduates. She says, “I didn’t want to be like everyone else who went to UMES or Wor-Wic.” (UMES is University of Maryland-Eastern Shore; Wor-Wic is a community college located on the eastern shore.)

Katie initially began college as a music education major; she quickly realized, however, that this major was not relevant to what she truly wanted to do with her life. From there, she went into Music Management, but this major wasn’t for her either. To her, the classes were boring and could not hold her interest. She remembers, “I knew this was the sign that I shouldn’t be there.” She then decided to try a Liberal Studies major, which has proved to be the one for her. Along with this major, she would like to earn a Professional Writing certificate.

Along with her major, she has chosen minors and skills that will help her as a novelist. She is currently working on a minor in music. She would also like to add another minor in film studies .Katie feels both of these will provided her with solid background knowledge if ever a novel of hers was published and turned into film. At the same time, she would also like to learn the skills that will allow her to edit herself, and not rely on a paid editor. But that’s not all! Katie also plans to dual enroll at Frostburg State and Alleghany College for medical coding and culinary arts.

Katie fills her time outside of the classroom with two of her major passions: writing and music. Overall, she has written eight novels so far. However, none of these have ever been published. Katie credits this to a fear of rejection. At one time, she wrote for The Bottom Line. This lasted only one semester, though. Katie says, “I got out because I didn’t agree with the politics of the paper. I wanted to write more in-depth stories about the music department, and they wanted me to write CD reviews.” When she is not writing, she can probably be found with her sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity for women. (For more information on Frostburg’s local chapter visit http://organizations.frostburg.edu/sigmaalphaiota/).

Lucky for this generation, Katie has filled her time at Frostburg State University with experiences that will help her to one day reach her dream. With talent and determination like hers, the world may one day see Katie White’s name on the top of the New York Times Bestseller list.

Lifestyle of Metal Head, Jukka Baker By Ashley Swinford

Leaning against an early autumn tree outside Dunkle Hall on a beautiful sunny day in September, Jukka (You-kah) Baker finds himself at Frostburg State University working on a Professional Writing degree. About two and a half away from his home in Frederick, Maryland, Baker enjoys creating tattoos, drawing, filming, and music. One would think with these hobbies Baker would aspire to be an artist; however, he is choosing not to enter that career path. He believes that, like any artist, he would only be able to see the flaws in his artwork and spend too much time on something he will never be fully satisfied with. Baker is a person who is very comfortable with himself.
His two greatest passions are with him almost always. Tattoos and metal, “those are what I’m here for,” Baker confessed. He was one of the few people able to turn his hobby into a job when he became an artist and counter person at a tattoo shop in Frederick. Most times jeans and a band T-shirt cover his many tattoos but, another great passion is revealed; metal music. He not only considers it entertainment, but art. Baker has an appreciation for his music most do not bother to consider. He became a fan in seventh grade, and it has shaped him ever since. “Being a metal head, it’s like a lifestyle,” Baker says. While the clothing style has changed from Hot Topic pants and chains to simply jeans and a band T-shirt, the passion for the music has remained, possibly even grown. Baker is a frequent visitor of www.metal-archives.com; a website that contains the discography for all metal bands. As most parents expect of their early teens, Baker’s mother assumed his metal head stage was just a phase and that he would grown out of it. However, this was not the case. Although he describes his family as conservative, they accept his lifestyle and Baker, and his family have learned a great deal from such a diverse environment. Along with his family, Baker is comfortable being himself around his friends. He states, “I am who I am,” and won’t change his personality according to who he’s with. One of his hobbies is to watch movies, including one of Baker’s favorites, The Devil’s Rejects. His friends sometimes describe him as being like Otis Driftwood, and with further investigation on www.imdb.com /title/tt0395584/, one finds he was played by Bill Moseley. Baker enjoys this, as Otis is his favorite character.
Sitting down and speaking with Jukka Baker, one can tell he knows who he is and what he wants from life. Very few people ever figure that out, and it is a very admirable achievement.

Not So Typical Girl Name Christine

You probably would not expect a woman whose favorite colors are pink and gold to love scary movies, hold down two jobs, and fend for herself all the way here in rural Frostburg, Maryland. But, yet, somehow she manages. Christine Marie Forquer, a shy girl whose eyes are often downcast, beams with excitement as she talks about what she loves most in her life. Her smile cannot be contained as she speaks of her close relationship with her mother, her love of music, and her new love interest, who she refers to simply as “Ed.” A girl, who at first seemed to blend in, now stands out.
Christine was born in Brooklyn, Maryland, to proud parents Donna and Russ in the chilly month of December. The readymade family, including older siblings Russ Jr. and Jennifer, was probably not prepared for the loving and boisterous girl that is Christine. As a child Christine’s family moved a lot, from as far as Arizona to Tennessee, and now back to their current residence, Maryland. These moves made her closer to her sister Jennifer because “there is only a three year age difference so we were home together a lot.”
Due to a family move to Arizona, Christine loves hot weather and is contemplating moving to the Miami area in the future. But, if things with boyfriend Ed follow through, those plans might change. She met Ed during her weekend job at Wing Night, a restaurant located in Cumberland, Maryland. She speaks fondly of him while she blushes and giggles and speaks of a future she hopes they have together. In fact, it was surprising to hear that they have only been together for the short time of five weeks. She also speaks fondly of her love of animals, which includes several dogs and cats from back home.
Christine might be classified as a typical girly girl because she is “like totally obsessed with Charlotte Russe,” which is her favorite clothing store, and “is a sucker for a romantic comedy” but she will defend her favorite sports teams, such as the hockey team, Ottawa Senators and the Baltimore Ravens, and won’t run out of the theater crying during a scary movie. If it is hard to imagine the clothing style that suits Christine check it out at the website at www.charlotterusse.com. She has three tattoos, and her favorite movie is Boondock Saints. If you aren’t as familiar with the movie as she is, you can read more about it by checking out the following link: www.imbd.com/title/tt0144117/synopsis. Looking at her, you probably wouldn’t expect Christine’s favorite movie to be about crime fighting, cursing, Irish, fraternal twins, but as her outer shell slowly unfolds it really is not so surprising.
Christine, who at first seemed motherly with her nice smile and calm demeanor, has sworn off having children. Christine believes that as long as she has her dog and a working car, then she is A-OK. She lives a life that satisfies her, and that is all that really matters. Christine is exactly the kind of girl that keeps society here in Western Maryland quiet, but never dull.

Don't put this on Facebook.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110663/6-things-you-should-never-reveal-on-facebook


These are six things that they say you should never put on facebook.