🌱 Marietta Main Street Celebrates 10 Years + Empty Bowls Luncheon

Hi there, Marietta. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A few morning showers; cooler. High: 58 Low: 37.
• Friday: Times of sun and clouds. High: 58 Low: 37.

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Here are the top three stories in Marietta today:

1. Marietta Main Street celebrated its 10th anniversary of accreditation on Tuesday by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Armory on Front Street. Joining the ceremony were the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce, community leaders, and city officials. During the event, Marietta Main Street, a nationally accredited nonprofit, recognized the support of the community and the organization's volunteers, who put in almost 1,500 hours of service in 2022. (WTAP)
2. The annual Empty Bowls Luncheon returns in person once again after going on a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The local program began in 2001 and centers around the concept of sharing a meal with fellow community members while gathering donations and supplies for local food banks; in Southeast Ohio, approximately one in six people and one in four children go hungry, according to local food banks. This year's menu includes homemade soups, bread, and cookies for $15, and attendees will get a handmade bowl and be able to participate in a silent auction to raise money for the cause. The event will take place on Apr. 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church here in Marietta. (The Parkersburg News and Sentinel)
3. The interim provost of Marietta College shared his view on a proposed bill under review with the Ohio Legislature that seeks to maintain "intellectual diversity" at Ohio's higher education institutions. Ohio Senate Bill 83 is being sponsored by state Senator Jerry Cirino who said he is concerned that universities and colleges in the state are in danger of "becoming echo chambers." Marietta College's interim provost Chuck Stinemetz said that the problem the bill proposes to address is being overexaggerated and that attempting to implement such a bill may cause issues within the state's colleges and universities. (WTAP)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Marietta:

Thursday, April 6

• Mid-Day Movie Pajama Party At Belpre Public Library, Belpre (10:30 AM)
• Open Sew/Machine Basics At BB2C Makerspace (5:30 PM)

Friday, April 7

• Marietta’s 235th Anniversary Flag Raising At Museum of the Northwest Territory, Campus Martius (10:00 AM)
• April First Friday: Peep Show At Historic Downtown Marietta (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley needs your help! Come volunteer to help out with the shelter's sweet dogs. Volunteer orientation is every third Sunday at 1:00 p.m. or by appointment throughout the month, and volunteers are needed to take the dogs on walks every Tuesday and Thursday evening and every Sunday afternoon. (Humane Society of the Ohio Valley - HSOV via Facebook)
• The Historic Marietta Tour of Homes is back again this year, and it's available for one weekend only! Tours are open on Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28, and you can get either a single-day ticket or a weekend pass. Get your tickets online and learn more about the tour here. (The Castle - Marietta, Oh via Facebook)
• Do you have kids who are still young enough to use car seats? Learn how to make sure they ride safely. The Marietta/Belpre Health Department's monthly car seat class will be Thursday, Apr. 13th, at 10:00 a.m. (Marietta/Belpre Health Department via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.