Tired of being an average everyday student? Potterwatch is the gateway to a bright new magical world for you. Potterwatch is the newly founded club on campus that specializes in various fun-filled events inspired by the works of J.K Rowling.

The club is run by the headmaster, Marianna Butera. Activities this club specializes in are debates, trivia nights, pot locks, viewing parties and quidditch.

On October 12, the first big event for Potterwatch is quidditch, which will occur outside of Lee Hall between the two softball diamonds from 10 am to 3 pm.

The game quidditch consists of nine people on each team: one seeker, three chasers, two beaters, one keeper, and two substitutes who can sub in for any players wanting to have a break except for the seeker.

The point of the game is for the chasers to score through one of three hoops as many times as possible with a quaffle (volleyball) while the beaters throw bludgers (dodgeballs) at them. If a chaser gets hit by a beater, they must drop their quaffle and run to the end of the field. The keeper’s job is to defend the goals and the seeker is responsible for chasing the snitch. The snitch in this case is a person who runs around in yellow and if he is caught, the team receives thirty points. Remember this is all done by riding on brooms.

The first place team for the tournament receives a pizza party, the second place team receives a dozen doughnuts, and the third place team earns candy bars for each team member.

Money proceeds from events like this get sent to a charity called Lumos which was cofounded by J.K Rowling. Lumos works to help the millions of children in institutions worldwide regain their right to a family.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and show off some magic!

Contact Potterwatch – potterwatch@oswego.edu

Donate a gallon – https://wearelumos.org

By Renee Dunn

OSWEGO, N.Y– Autumn is considered by some people as one of the most beautiful times of the year because of leaves changing, and the peak of Fall is here in Oswego. Strong leaf colors are being expected for several sections of Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties this week.

According to I Love NY.com, the Thousand Islands-Seaway region of New York, which includes Oswego County, will experience 80 to nearly 100 percent leaf color change this week. This means that oak, maple, and sweetgum trees will be bright shades of red, yellow and orange while fewer areas of muted green, orange and purple remain.

For the students of SUNY Oswego, this color change of foliage brings about many opportunities to explore all of the beauty the campus has to offer. SUNY Oswego’s outdoor club takes trips in the fall to view the leaves changing colors, which peak at different times around the state.

“The adirondacks start first so we got a jump start a few weeks ago in the adirondacks to see the peak. Now it’s in the central New York region, [so we] kind of just drift with the leaves to chase the peak colors for the best hikes for our club members,” Meteorology student and co-president of SUNY Oswego’s Outdoor’s club Zach Butler said.

Rice Creek Field Station also offers opportunities to watch the change in seasons. Rice Creek has trails that are open during daylight hours that can be used for viewing the changing of the leaves in the fall. Student’s can also educate themselves on the ecosystem of Rice Creek at the field station’s wildlife exhibit.

Other areas of New York, such as Long island, are still in their midpoint of color change and are expected to reach their peak later in the month.
For more information and to view a map of peak fall foliage, visit https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/.