A church turned sweatshop (the good kind) + forest drama 🌲
Good morning, Athens County. Someone converted a church into a sewing factory, and honestly, that's the most Ohio story we've heard all year. Betsy Franjola's Hocking Hills Garment Center in Buchtel is stitching together real jobs — 18 of them so far, paying $18/hour — and she's just getting started. Meanwhile, Wayne National Forest is facing a very different kind of development pressure, with federal officials moving toward leasing nearly 3,000 acres for energy drilling. A public protest window is open, so consider yourself informed.
On the national front, inflation just hit a three-year high at 4.2%, tariffs are rattling trade partners from Canada to Brazil, and Taylor Farms recalled lettuce across 27 states. Locally, Tuesday brings a Social Night Mingler, Art Camp, and Gentle Yoga — plus fresh real estate listings 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
Feds advance plan to open 2,800 acres of Ohio’s Wayne National Forest to fracking
🌲 Ohio's only national forest is one step closer to fracking. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced a September 15 lease sale for 41 parcels totaling 2,840 acres in Wayne National Forest, giving energy companies legal rights to drill. Critics warn the move threatens endangered wildlife like the Indiana bat and would bring industrial noise, light pollution, and truck traffic to a beloved recreational area. A 30-day public protest period runs through August 17, 2026. The announcement is part of the Trump administration's broader push to open public lands to energy development. Read more
Garment center focuses on sustainability and growth
🧵 A NYC textile veteran is bringing factory jobs back to rural Ohio. Betsy Franjola opened the Hocking Hills Garment Center in Buchtel in 2024, converting a former Catholic church into a sustainable sewing factory employing 18 people. The center trains workers in industrial sewing, paying $18/hour upon certification, while partnering with local events like the Nelsonville Music Festival and the Southern Ohio Copperheads baseball team. Committed to sustainability, the center sources cotton from Virginia, explores closed-loop fabric recycling, and refuses to cut corners on garment quality. Franjola aims to grow to 50 employees and is currently pitching a major national fashion brand. Read more
Annual Yard Sale Fundraiser with The Birth Circle kicks off at The Market on State
🛒 The Birth Circle is hosting its annual yard sale fundraiser this past Thursday at The Market on State in Athens, bringing together locals to support vital maternal health resources in the county. Read more
Tucked away in the Alexander School District just 10 miles from Athens, this stunning 15-acre nature retreat features a cave, seasonal waterfall, hiking trails, and a beautifully designed home that truly brings the outdoors in!
A true gem in The Plains! This lovingly maintained 1944 charmer offers 4 beds, 3 baths, historic character, covered porches, and a sprawling lot with mature trees — all within walking distance of Athens High School.
5 bed · 2 bath · 2,395 sqft on 1.1-acre tree-lined lot
Tucked away on a tree-lined acre at the edge of The Plains, this charming two-owner Colonial offers spacious rooms, a sunny sunroom, workshop, and storage buildings — classic bones with endless potential!
Level up your Tuesday nights this summer at The Star Chamber Arcade! For just $10, enjoy unlimited play from 8-11 PM every Tuesday at 74 N Court St, Athens — the ultimate social night out!
Unleash your inner storyteller at Dairy Barn Arts Center this week! Kids explore myths and legends through creative activities, then bring characters magically to life with puppetry each afternoon. July 20-24 in Athens, OH.
Find your calm at Serenity Roots Yoga and Wellness Center (8950 Lavelle Rd) on July 21 at 5:30 PM! This trauma-sensitive Gentle Yoga session blends soothing breathwork and mindful movement for a restorative evening.
Turn your clothing repairs into works of art! Join artist Kelly Lawrence at the Community Makerspace (751 W Union St) on July 22 to learn visible mending techniques that celebrate, not hide, your fabric fixes.
Little ones, get ready for a magical morning at The Plains Public Library on July 22! Join in for stories, songs, and playful activities that spark imagination and bring smiles to young faces.
Little explorers, it's time to discover! Bring your toddlers to the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery every Thursday morning starting November 13th, 10–11:30 AM, for hands-on fun in the OhioHealth Community Classroom at 67 Columbus Rd, Athens!
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 lively afternoon of bingo fun 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 on the dance floor.
🌎 What Else Is Brewing
Trump slapped 50% tariffs on Canadian goods like wine and dairy, reigniting a trade war with America’s second-biggest trading partner.
US imposed 25% tariffs on Brazilian imports over alleged unfair trade practices, adding pressure during Brazil’s election year.
Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states after linking its Central Mexico products to a cyclosporiasis outbreak sickening people nationwide.
US saw CPI inflation surge to 4.2% in May, the highest in three years, driven mostly by a spike in energy prices.
MAGA Inc amassed over $400 million for midterm elections, giving Trump’s allies a massive war chest to fund Republican campaigns.
Anthropic settled a $1.5 billion class-action lawsuit with authors who claimed its AI chatbot Claude misused their books to train its models.
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
— 1 Corinthians 13:4
This verse reminds us to embody selfless love in our daily interactions, letting kindness and patience guide our words and actions. By doing so, we create a more loving and supportive environment for those around us.
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