🎬 Cinema celebration

Good morning, Athens County. From the silver screen to community service, Athens is shining this spring. The 52nd Athens International Film + Video Festival is set to transform the historic Athena Cinema into a global cinematic hub, featuring over 200 films from 58 countries. With free student admission and Academy Award-qualifying honors at stake, this five-decade tradition continues to put our corner of Ohio on the international cultural map.

Meanwhile, Ohio University Southern is celebrating excellence closer to home with nominations open for the Dr. Dan Evans Alumni Leadership Award through March 17. The award honors graduates who exemplify exceptional community service—a particularly meaningful recognition as food insecurity continues to affect increasingly diverse demographics across America. As Community Food Initiatives manager Drew Ogg notes, hunger's landscape has shifted dramatically, touching lives across economic boundaries in ways previously unseen.

🌤 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

🎓 Ohio University Southern honors alumni leaders with prestigious award. The Dr. Dan Evans Alumni Leadership Award recognizes graduates who demonstrate exceptional community service and leadership, with nominations open through March 17. The award honors Evans, a Lawrence County native and former dean who dedicated his career to expanding educational access in Appalachian Ohio. Last year's recipient, Jeremy Clay, exemplifies the award's purpose through his impactful work in economic development and infrastructure improvement. The winner will be celebrated at the Spring Graduation Recognition Ceremony on May 1.

🍽️ Food insecurity now squeezes almost everyone in America. What was once a problem affecting specific demographics has expanded dramatically, according to Community Food Initiatives manager Drew Ogg. His observation comes amid rising food costs and economic pressures that have transformed the landscape of hunger in the country. The article appears to analyze twelve years of data showing the evolution of food insecurity patterns. Unfortunately, the full article content was incomplete, making it difficult to extract specific statistics or detailed findings from the research.

🎬 Athens film festival returns with 200+ films from 58 countries. The 52nd Athens International Film + Video Festival will run April 7-13, 2025, at the historic Athena Cinema in Athens, Ohio. This year's event features 20 feature films and numerous shorts competing for cash prizes and Academy Award-qualifying honors. Three visiting artists—animator Kelly Gallagher, Athens native Dani Wasserman, and experimental animator Lilli Carré—will present special programs as part of the jury lineup. Thanks to Arts for Ohio support, all screenings are free for students, continuing the festival's five-decade tradition of celebrating independent and diverse cinematic voices.

Wooded city lot awaits builder: For $89,000, this wooded lot within Athens City limits offers multiple home sites surrounded by nature, yet is conveniently less than 10 minutes from Strouds Run State Park, Uptown, and East State Street shopping centers.

Rental home near Athens Ohio: This Athens Ohio home, listed at $169,900, sits on an acre of land just minutes from town with two large bedrooms, two baths, a new roof, and is currently rented through May 2025 at $1,100 monthly.

Luxury wooded site city views: Lush two-acre wooded building site priced at $155,000 offers stunning city views in a prime neighborhood, with all utilities available in the development for your future residence.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🎸 Mar. 11 - The Biggest Cover-Up II: Rock out at The Biggest Cover-Up Night Two! Catch live music at The Union on March 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Grab your tickets from UNATION for this exciting Athens rock concert.

📝 Mar. 11 - Athens Poetry Share Circle: Calling all wordsmiths! Share your poetic creations and offer thoughtful feedback at the Athens Poetry Group on March 11 at Athens Public Library, 30 Home St. Adults welcome to this supportive gathering of verse lovers.

🥗 Mar. 11 - Green Lunch Dialogue Series: Join the Green Lunch Series at Athens Public Library on March 11 for stimulating conversations about energy, food security, and equity. Gather with community members for this bi-monthly Rural Action tradition at 30 Home St.

🎸 Mar. 12 - Micah Kesselring Blues Night: Catch blues virtuoso Micah Kesselring live at Eclipse Company Store on March 12! This talented musician brings his soulful sound to The Plains for an unforgettable evening of blues and beyond.

🏕️ Mar. 13 - Outdoor Jobs Fair: Connect with outdoor employers at the Seasonal Employment Job Fair on March 13! Find your dream nature-focused career at 10 W Washington St, Nelsonville, where passion meets opportunity in the great outdoors.

📸 Mar. 15 - Athens Weather Resilience Exhibit: Step into Athens County's resilience at Nelsonville Public Library's community photo exhibit on March 15! Discover local stories through captivating images that showcase how neighbors connect during extreme weather challenges.

🧑‍🌾 Mar. 15 - Athens Farmers Market: Fresh local produce awaits at the Athens Farmers Market this Saturday! Browse winter offerings from 9am-12pm under the solar panels at Athens Community Center, 701 E State St.

☘️ Mar. 16 - St. Patrick's Day Celebration: Kick up your heels at Little Fish Brewing Company's St. Patrick's Day celebration on March 16th! Enjoy Irish dancers and festive brews at 8675 Armitage Rd while honoring Irish heritage before the official holiday.

🙏 In Remembrance

Roger Johnson

Roger L. Johnson, 88, of Athens, died on March 6, 2025, at his home surrounded by family. Born on January 28, 1937, in Nelsonville to Carl Lee and Elma Grace Stephenson Johnson, Roger is survived by his wife Ellen, daughter Leah, six grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Robert, and seven siblings. Services will be held Tuesday at Bigony-Jordan Funeral Home with burial at New Marshfield Cemetery.

Max Carsey

Max Wendell Carsey, who died at 87 on March 7, 2025, was a barber on Court Street for over 60 years, working at "Carsey's Barber Shop" which he started with his father. Beyond his career, Max was a devoted husband to Sallie for 64 years, a father, and a man of diverse interests including gardening, running marathons, piloting, and gambling. He is survived by his wife, daughter Karen, sister-in-law Peggy, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, while being preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and daughter Connie.

Connie Moyer

Connie Moyer, 84, of Pomeroy, OH, died on March 8, 2025, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, WV. Born on June 29, 1940, in Columbus, OH, she was the daughter of the late Carl Wesley and Betty Louise Johnson Walton. She is survived by her daughters Karen Lodwick Roush and Leesa Lee, her son Gregry Reed, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Following her wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service, with arrangements handled by White Funeral Home in Coolville, OH.