🥒 Pickle champion

Good morning, Meigs County. The face of rural food assistance is getting a makeover in Amesville, where a new choice-style pantry inside the elementary school is eliminating both the 20-minute drive to Athens and the one-size-fits-all approach to food distribution. This innovative "grocery store" model gives dignity back to families facing food insecurity, allowing them to select items that actually work for their households instead of receiving pre-packed boxes that might not meet their needs.

Spring is certainly in full swing across the region – from the songbird captured in magnificent voice at Marietta's Muskingum Park to the crowds packing Bagel Street Deli for its 25th annual Picklefest. The pickle-eating championship saw quite the drama as JT Whaley devoured an impressive ten pickles in just 10 minutes, unseating two-time champion Dylan Burke who was disqualified after making what competitors colorfully call "relish." The victory earns Whaley both menu immortality and the chance to direct funds to charity.

🌤 Sky Skoop

PRESENTED BY 93.1 The Wolf

Pomeroy

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Racine

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Middleport

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Reedsville

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Long Bottom

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Mason, WV

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🛒 New choice-style food pantry brings relief to rural Amesville residents. Located inside Amesville Elementary, the HAPCAP-operated pantry resembles a small grocery store where low-income residents can select their own food items. This innovative approach eliminates the 20-minute drive to Athens that previously burdened locals seeking groceries. The pantry offers dignity through choice, allowing families to select appropriate foods from shelves stocked with staples and refrigerators filled with perishables. Open twice monthly, the service aims to address growing food insecurity in Ohio, where approximately 30% of residents qualify for assistance.

🥒 Athens goes pickle-crazy at Bagel Street Deli's annual Picklefest. Hundreds packed the local eatery for its 25th annual pickle-eating competition, where contestants raced to devour as many massive pickles as possible in 10 minutes. JT Whaley emerged victorious after consuming an impressive ten pickles, beating two-time champion Dylan Burke who was disqualified for making "relish" - the competition's term for throwing up. As winner, Whaley earns the right to create his own bagel sandwich for the menu and direct approximately $500 to a charity of his choice.

🐦 Spring's melody perches atop a flowering tree in Marietta. A songbird was captured in full voice at Muskingum Park, showcasing the beauty of the Mid-Ohio Valley as spring unfolds. The "Branch Manager" photo, taken by Art Smith of the News and Sentinel, invites readers to appreciate local natural splendor. The newspaper welcomes photo submissions that highlight regional beauty for possible publication. Additional images can be found on the publication's Instagram account.

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🏡 Real Estate Reveals

PRESENTED BY Amy Jackson, CENTURY 21

Hunter's Meigs County dream: A whitetail wonderland awaits at this 96-acre Meigs County farm priced at $370,000, featuring professional hunting setups with established food plots, blinds and stands, with option to purchase adjoining 94 acres for a total of 194 acres.

Riverfront Paradise Awaits Dreamer: This riverfront property on the market for $459,900 offers 18+ acres, 685.35 feet of Ohio River frontage, utilities, a shelter house, and a garage with bathroom—ideal for your dream home or business venture.

River acres need modernizing: This fixer-upper from the early 1900s on 51 riverfront acres is available for $225,000, offering potential as a vacation retreat with TLC and recreational features including ATV trails.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🌱 Apr. 2 - Plant Propagation Workshop: Grow your garden know-how at 216 W Main St, Pomeroy! Michelle Stumbo from OSU Extension reveals secrets to propagating plants from cuttings and divisions on April 2. Your plants will thank you!

🦞 Apr. 3 - Library Lobster Truck: Maine lobster rolls into town! The Meigs County District Public Library hosts a delicious seafood truck on Thursday, April 3. Order at the truck or via their Mobile App for a tasty coastal treat.

🦞 Apr. 3 - Cousins Maine Lobster Truck: Craving fresh Maine lobster? Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck rolls into Pomeroy on April 3, serving up delicious seafood delights at 216 W Main St. Treat yourself to a special take-out lunch or dinner!

🎨 Apr. 3 - Paint Night: Colorful Umbrellas: Unleash your inner artist at "Paint with Jess" on April 3! Create colorful umbrella masterpieces during this adults-only evening session at 216 W Main St in Pomeroy, with all supplies provided.

🥚 Apr. 4 - Adult Easter Egg Hunt: Hop into spring at The Blakeslee Center's 2nd Annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt! Bring your basket for after-dark fun with $1500 in prizes up for grabs. Doors open at 7pm on April 4th.

🎸 Apr. 5 - Jay Parade Garage Band: Garage rockers Jay Parade are bringing their homegrown tunes to Skatopia/CIA on April 5! Catch these self-proclaimed "three nerds" as they step out of the garage and onto the stage in Rutland.

🌱 Apr. 5 - Agroforestry Workshop & Resources: Dig into sustainable land management at "Grow Together: Agroforestry Workshop" on April 5th! Local experts reveal free technical assistance and funding opportunities for your property restoration projects at 37870 Chase Run Rd, Albany.

🚒 Apr. 5 - Fire Fighter Bingo Night: Try your luck at Fire Fighter Bingo on April 5 at Rutland Civic Center! Join the Rutland Fire Department for a fun-filled evening of games and community spirit at 337 Main St.