A Professor Determined to Write Her Novel

Because I knew how much her novel meant to Faye Solomon Kushner, I was honored when she agreed to allow me to comment about it. Writing with such candor and courage, she revealed what her siblings never wanted written about life with their Kentucky coal-miner’s family. To say her book is stunning is an understatement.... Read More

Writers' Page

October 24, 2023

Discovering Wine and Curry

I recently visited a large wine shop in a nearby city. I asked a staff person if I could be directed to the German wine section. When we arrived at that section of the store, they said. “This German red wine is a Pinot Noir and is great with curry dishes.” Having no experience with... Read More

The Wine Spot

October 19, 2023

Movies You Missed from 20 Years Ago: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (7/10 Rating) Released October 17, 2003 For rent/purchase on all major platforms. Genre: Drama, History, Sport R: Strong horror violence/gore, language and drug content 1h 38m It’s the haunting season, so this month’s selection was easy. The original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre released in 1974 is one of the... Read More

Movies You Missed

October 12, 2023

Graveside Commission

The other day, I attended a graveside funeral service for the brother of a fellow choir member and friend at Danville’s Highland Burial Park. Years ago, Lester Flatt recorded “Won’t You Give Me My Flowers While I’m Living.” So, in that respect, you can also give me my friends while I’m living, too. At a... Read More

Essays

October 10, 2023

Plant XII: Walk This Way (A Plant Dialogue)

(Scene: For their daily outing, Linda pulls the sentient Plant inside the red wagon on the leaf-shaded sidewalk along West Main Street. In the wagon, two pots of dirt closely line up behind Plant like a tail extending backward.) Plant: You spend so much time walking. Can you put a leaf on what you like... Read More

Fiction

October 4, 2023

Inside the Method of Acting with Felice McWilliams

Being a small business owner, a mother to three, and a grandmother to six (with number seven on the way!) Felice McWilliams lives a very busy lifestyle, yet still somehow makes time to pursue her love of performing. Originally from California, McWilliams and some of her family moved here to Danville in 2014. She founded... Read More

Action

October 3, 2023

Always on the Prowl for a Photograph

Photographer Michael Andrews has a diverse background in both photojournalism and corporate communications. He has been immersed in the world of photography since his mother gave him a 35mm rangefinder film camera and a darkroom setup for his 14th birthday. “She was a telephone operator and an amateur photographer. She passed her love of image-making... Read More

Cover Features

September 27, 2023

What If You Want to Write About Your Travels?

Imagine that you were given a free ticket to travel to the one place you’d always wanted to see. All expenses would be paid. The only stipulation was this: you had to write a magazine article about that place when you returned. If that opportunity appeals to your imagination, you probably have some place in... Read More

Writers' Page

September 19, 2023

Plant XI: Kindness Matters (A Plant Dialogue)

Scene: Chatting easily, Linda is hauling a happy Plant out for a wagon ride. The distant drone of an ambulance puts Linda in a certain frame of mind. Plant: What’s your favorite human character trait? Linda: What do you mean, Plant? I don’t have a favorite — I just have character traits. I work at... Read More

Fiction

September 14, 2023

Movies You Missed from 20 Years Ago: Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever (7/10 Rating) Released September 12, 2003 (US) For rent/purchase on all major platforms. Genre: Horror R: Strong violence and gore, sexuality, language and brief drug use 1h 33m Five college graduates rent a cabin in the woods. Things go wrong. Yes, we’ve seen it, but this is certainly one of the better takes... Read More