A Vision to Inspire Joy

Patrice Graves was introduced to photography “about 20 years ago” in high school while working at Ritz Camera. “At the camera store we would develop a film in a dark room and repair cameras,” she said. Snapping memories took a backseat to life after that part-time job ended. The art of capturing an image re-entered... Read More

Cover Features

December 20, 2023

What Do Writers Write About in December?

Below is a series of questions I’ve altered to be answered for this holiday season: When did you begin thinking about what you’d write for the holiday season? Actually, I never stop thinking about writing for the holidays. It’s that special time when both gift-giving and gift-receiving take place. Stories that generate warm feelings about... Read More

Writers' Page

December 14, 2023

Movies You Missed from 20 Years Ago: Big Fish

Big Fish (8/10 Rating) Released December 25, 2003 (Limited) For rent/purchase on all major platforms. Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance PG-13: A Fight Scene, Images of Nudity, and a Suggestive Reference 2h 5m When I think of Tim Burton films, I tend to forget how good his films can be. Then I recall Edward... Read More

Movies You Missed

December 12, 2023

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