Puppets, bingo & an 80s DJ walk into your weekend 🕺
Good morning, Athens County. Forty years of showing up for kids is worth celebrating — and now Southeast Ohio Youth Mentoring has a shot at reaching 60 to 80 more young people, thanks to opioid settlement funds being put to genuinely good use. The Boys and Girls Club of Glouster is making the same ask, trying to steady itself after a rough financial stretch. It's the kind of local story that makes you feel like the system occasionally works the way it's supposed to.
On Capitol Hill, it was a busy week of budget battles, defense bills, and a long-overdue stock trading ban for members of Congress. Closer to home, tonight's agenda includes Puppetry Camp, Toddler Discovery Time, and Bingo Night in Hickory Creek — plus fresh real estate listings waiting inside.
🌤 Sky Skoop
Athens
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Nelsonville
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The Plains
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Albany
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Chauncey
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
Athens County Commission: Youth organizations request opioid settlement funds for programming
💊 Athens County youth groups are tapping opioid settlement cash for programming. Southeast Ohio Youth Mentoring and the Boys and Girls Club of Glouster each requested $50,000 from funds Athens County received through opioid litigation settlements. The mentoring organization, which has served youth for 40 years, hopes the funding will expand its reach by an additional 60-80 kids while it waits on delayed state grant funding. Meanwhile, the Boys and Girls Club of Glouster is seeking financial stability after losing $100,000 in allocations following an affiliation change. Read more
5.22 acre lot · Hocking River access · Near Hocking Adena Bikeway
Tucked along the scenic Hocking River near The Plains, this 5.2-acre gem offers dreamy potential — from riverside retreats to your forever home — with easy Route 33 access and the Hocking Adena Bikeway right next door!
This classic 1924 East Side charmer puts you steps from downtown Athens' restaurants and shops, featuring beautiful hardwood floors, a covered front porch, and timeless character you'll absolutely love!
Tucked into Athens' friendly Eastside neighborhood, this 1950s gem offers hardwood floors, a decorative fireplace, a secluded backyard garden, and a front porch swing — all just steps from Sells Park and local favorites!
Unleash your little storyteller's imagination at Dairy Barn Arts Center! This full-day Art Camp blends myth-making and puppetry, exploring stories of place in the morning and bringing those tales magically to life in the afternoon.
Little explorers, it's time to discover something amazing! Bring your toddlers to the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery every Thursday morning from 10–11:30 AM, starting November 13th, for hands-on fun in the OhioHealth Community Classroom.
Roll the daubers and shout "Bingo!" as you join the wonderful residents of Hickory Creek Nursing Center at 51 E 4th St in The Plains for a fun-filled game day on July 23!
Dust off your leg warmers and tease that hair — DJ Barticus brings Athens' longest-running dance party back to Casa Nueva on July 24! Channel your inner Cyndi Lauper and get down!
Give old stuff new life at UpCycle Fest 2026! Join UpCycle Ohio and Community Makerspace at 751 W. Union St. in Athens on Saturday, July 25th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a day of creative reuse fun.
Spark your little one's love of reading at Athens Public Library (30 Home St) on July 25! Family Storytime is a cozy, welcoming adventure for all, with accommodations available upon request.
Future collegiate stars, this one's for you! Ohio University's Soccer ID Camp opens its doors to female players 8th grade and up on July 25 at Peden Stadium in Athens, OH.
Lace up your running shoes for the 2nd Annual Midsummer Mile Fest on July 25 at Alexander High School's track in Albany, Ohio! Join the Athens Athletics Club for an evening of competitive mile racing fun.
🌎 What Else Is Brewing
U.S. House Republicans advanced Trump’s budget and voting restriction push, giving the party a pre-midterm message that’s equal parts spending and election drama.
U.S. House of Representatives passed a massive defense policy bill, despite grumbles over the price tag, Iran tensions, and a fresh pro-Israel provision.
U.S. Department of Education opened new probes into five medical schools over admissions practices, taking another swing at diversity programs.
Justice Department demanded New Jersey data on non-U.S.-citizens wrongly registered to vote, escalating its fight over election security.
Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill to harden the ban on Chinese automakers entering the U.S., with Mercedes-Benz potentially caught in the crossfire.
House approved a bill banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks, because even Capitol Hill has a conflict-of-interest problem.
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
— Isaiah 26:3
This verse reminds us that when we focus on God and trust in Him, He will bring us peace and stability, even in the midst of chaos. By keeping our minds fixed on Him, we can experience a sense of calm and security that surpasses understanding.
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