May I Have a Glass of Versatility, Please?

May I Have a Glass of Versatility, Please? At a recent wine tasting, I was asked what one wine could be offered to guests being served a wide variety of appetizers at a social gathering. Here is my “two cents worth”. A sparkling Rosé based on Pinot Noir that has the “Brut” (middle grade) sweetness classification. Why?... Read More

The Wine Spot

May 3, 2024

Inside the Method of Acting With Jane Reid

Jane Reid can still recite every line from her first production in grade school. She shared. “The production was a tribute to mothers. My role consisted of a recitation of a poem on a basket of pansies. It wasn’t until many years later that the stars aligned, and I stepped on the Bonner school... Read More

Action

May 1, 2024

Building a Life Through the Lens: Patrick Gibson’s Journey from Addiction to Acclaimed Photographer

Patrick Gibson, a 26-year-old freelance photographer from Danville, Virginia, has turned his life around through his passion for photography. Born and raised in Danville, Gibson has faced his share of challenges, particularly with alcohol addiction since high school. However, a series of life-changing events shifted his perspective, and he is proudly celebrating 10 months of... Read More

Cover Features

April 13, 2024

My Promise

I will not harm you, will not, won’t knock on your door to unravel your well-woven cocoon, its layers so tightly wrapped I know they’re not mine to unwind, only yours for undoing reluctantly until you trust my love, then welcome my caring, embrace our connection.

Poet's Corner

April 11, 2024

In Plain Sight

On a recent Sunday, I parked next to the grounds of the Danville Museum, as I usually do, and walked along the white picket fence surrounding that museum to a point where I crossed the road and entered Danville’s First Presbyterian Church, to which I belong, and sing in the choir. Standing out against the... Read More

Essays

April 10, 2024

Movies You Missed From 20 Years Ago: Mean Girls

Mean Girls (6/10 Rating) Released July 25, 2004 Stream on Fubo, Paramount+, and Showtime. For rent/purchase on all major platforms. Genre: Comedy PG-13: Sexual content, language, and some teen partying 1h 37m “Get in loser, we’re going shopping.” A couple years ago, I noticed my now fifteen-year-old son, Jude, checking out a Mean Girls... Read More

Movies You Missed

April 9, 2024

Inside OWE Arts & Culture: Clevester Terrell Woods

A native of Danville, Clevester Terrell Woods was introduced to art as a child in Pittsylvania county schools. Terrell first realized his gift when, as a first grade student, he was given the assignment to draw one of his favorite cartoon characters. Terrell drew Mickey Mouse from memory. Upon doing so, his teacher was so... Read More

Collage

April 6, 2024

Quantum Soup

“There you are, husband mine,” said Mamie, entering the living room while running one hand through her salt-and-pepper hair. She had just picked up an apron from the kitchen and was spinning it in the air with her other hand like a majorette twirling her baton. “What are you doing?” “Reading a physics article,”... Read More

Fiction

April 5, 2024

Inside the Method of Acting with Robbie Hendrix-Wirt

Like many other children of the 90s, Robbie Hendrix-Wirt grew up watching Shari Lewis and Lambchop on the television. Watching Lewis be a ventriloquist for three different puppets, sing songs, and dance around was very exciting for Hendrix-Wirt as a child. It made him wish he was there too, and it was what would later... Read More

Action

April 2, 2024

Autism and the Arts

Autism is a somewhat new diagnosis. It first appeared in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) in 1980. However, it is widely accepted that autism existed long before that. It’s thought that many famous historical figures were probably autistic. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, van Gogh, Beethoven, Mozart, and Emily Dickenson (amongst others)... Read More