Thoughts on a Good, Rural Man

We recently lost a truly good “rural man,” whose country upbringing centered him in the tradition of hard work, particularly in working with wood. His name: Joe Hammack. He and his family were “one of a kind,” harkening back to simpler, “frill-less” times, and denoted by dedication to the basics of hard work and the... Read More

Essays

December 6, 2023

Inside the Method of Acting with Josh Cassell

Born in November 1983, Josh Cassell claims he came into the world “weighing 12lbs and 4oz, making me a pain from the very beginning.” Cassell has always had a knack for comedy, which is how his acting journey began. In the fall of 2022, Cassell came to Smokestack Theatre Company looking for improv classes,... Read More

Action

December 4, 2023

Plant XIV: To Be One of The Lights (A Plant Dialogue)

Scene: Linda has brought Plant to a local restaurant table with a good view of the room. She explained to the hostess that she just bought Plant and didn’t want to leave her live purchase out in the cold car. Plant is on the table with a deep green plastic purchase bag pulled down around... Read More

Fiction

December 1, 2023

The Plot Is Just To Have Fun

Words began whispering tales into Gina Marie Adkins’ ear at an early age. “I was always coming up with stories as a kid, but it wasn’t until about 5th or 6th grade that I realized regular people could be writers,” she said. In high school, Adkins fleshed out 2 novels but never wrote “The End”... Read More

Cover Features

November 21, 2023

An Improtu Approach

Although I wanted to write, I didn’t know where to begin because I hadn’t chosen a topic. That’s when I saw David, a thoughtful young man I regard as a friend. “Please suggest a topic for me to write about,” I requested. Minutes later, he shared an idea that fascinated me. That’s why I wrote... Read More

Writers' Page

November 17, 2023

Movies You Missed From 20 Years Ago: Love Actually

Love Actually (6/10 Rating) Released November 14, 2003 For rent/purchase on all major platforms. Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance R: Sexuality, nudity, and language 2h 15m I enjoy a good Romcom, but I am obsessed with Christmas movies. So, how did I miss Love Actually? I have put it off for years. It just always... Read More

Movies You Missed

November 15, 2023

Pyramid of Values

A few days ago, I felt as if I had suddenly entered a security-camera film in which someone is caught stealing at a store. But It wasn’t me! If this video had existed, it would have been made at ALDI, with me in the background and the “purloining star” in the foreground (well, an “extended... Read More

Essays

November 9, 2023

Plant XIII: Water, Water Everywhere (A Plant Dialogue)

(Scene: Linda pulls the red wagon containing Plant along a major street. She stops to pick up the litter. Plant views each trash deposit into the wagon with increasing distaste.) Plant: Yuck. My bottom leaves keep getting dirtier from the litter you’re throwing in my wagon. I am sharing my vehicular transportation with trash while... Read More

Fiction

November 6, 2023

Inside the Method of Action with Mark Harrelson

As a former radio DJ and news reporter, Mark Harrelson is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Harrelson’s stage debut was in Rumors by Neil Simon, put on by The Little Theatre of Danville in 1993—a play he has had the pleasure of working on three times now. Harrelson gained his interest in acting as... Read More

Action

November 2, 2023

Keep Fighting Until We Get There

For a Dollar, a local indie band sprinkled with heavy rock influences began at Carter’s Music & Art School in 2018. The student band formed under instructor Noah Carter (who also plays guitar) and school director Vernon Carter. After years of personal growth and hard work, the current line-up comprises lead singers Braiden Burke and... Read More