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anthology, Poetry, reflection, Warren Artists' Market, warren county nc, writing

ATTENTION ALL WRITERS

Arlene

DSCF3180 DSCF3983WARREN ARTISTS’ MARKET
2014 & 2015 ANTHOLOGY

SEEKING SUBMISSIONS FOR 2016 ANTHOLOGY
The Warren County Anthology (working title) submissions considered are: poetry, and personal impression. Only one prose piece will be accepted per writer; the maximum is 1500 words per piece. You may submit up to 3 poems; maximum-30 lines per poem. Include a bio up to 75 words. Submissions must meet our guidelines to be accepted, include a bio.

Write about anything relating to Warren County, North Carolina i.e. about your living here, having family here, visited here, been impressed by reading about it, or seeing it through the eyes of another.

The anthology is open to all writers. Place your contact information in the upper left hand corner of each page submitted. Name, address, and email.

Deadline for submissions is April 30, 2016. You will be notified of acceptance by June 30. The anthology will be available for purchase by Nov. 15, 2016.

Mail your submissions and inquiries to: haywoodpark@yahoo.com or arlenebice1633@gmail.com

The Warren Artists’ Market; Arlene Bice, Thomas Park, Sterling Cheston, Vernita (Nana Vee) Terry.

book review, books

A Year of Summer Shadows by Alice Orr

Arlene

DSCF4059
Alice Orr was a workshop leader at the International Women Writers’ Guild when I attended annually for ten years. Her book No More Rejections was a fine non-fiction book that I offered to my writing groups. Now she has some top selling fiction under the heading of Romantic Suspense. These books are in a series settled in the North Country, a small town of Riverton.
After reading The Wrong Way Home it was only natural that I would want to follow up with Book 2, A Year of Summer Shadows. These are Alice Orr’s romantic suspense stories on the Kalli family in the North Country. The first book covered the romance of oldest brother Matt, Book 2 is all about Mark and Hailey.
Her childhood friend is in trouble. Even though they have been estranged for years, Hailey is there to help her. Mark comes back into the picture, yet he has no idea that Hailey wants him there. He, in turn thinks she despises him.
The mother in the Kalli family is wise in the way of womanhood as she looks out for her boys, welcomes their loves into her home and does her own to tighten family bonds. A good read for romantic suspense lovers.

art, Christmas season, general, Poetry, Uncategorized

GREETING CARDS SAVED IN POETRY

Arlene

blog 006.JPG It’s time for greeting cards to be sent out. It matters not which holiday you celebrate; Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Chanukah, Happy New Year, and maybe others that I am unfamiliar. I save most of the cards I receive (all with the hand-painted envelopes) and enjoy them again later. . . maybe even years later. Here is my take on it all.

Greeting cards from long ago
written by a familiar hand
declaring feelings of
someone now gone

Cards with a personal note
wonderful to read years later
encouraging, reassuring
remembering dear friendships

Note cards with thank you
sent for some little thing
or maybe some thing big
a long-forgotten thoughtfulness

Hand-made cards sent
designed with loving care
expressly with me in mind
treasures to keep forever

Cards spark memories
always dear, loving, caring
before good times turn to bad
or in times of sorrow, so sad

I remove cards from the box
sketch the graphics
into my daily journal
re-living a happy moment

And then there is Celeste
who paints the envelope
to match the card inside
giving the carrier some cheer
and me over and over again

It isn’t whether the cards are large
fancy, or expensive
it’s always, it’s the words
written from the heart
communicating sentiment

 

First Friday, First Friday Poetry Night, Uncategorized, Warren Artists' Market, warren county nc, Warren FoodWorks, writing, writing group poetry

FIRST FRIDAY POETRY NIGHT

Arlene

It’s here on Friday-our First Friday Poetry, open mic night, 4th Dec. 7:30 to 9:30.
Come in; you can hear Reasons for the Season.
Come in to hear original works read by the poets who wrote them.
Come in to read your own words or the words of someone you enjoy.
Come in; just listen, FoodWorks, 108 S. Main St Warrenton  NC

Come in, nibble on local foods and delectable desserts.
Come in, taste the wines and beers of North Carolina.
Come in and share a table with old friends or meet new ones.

opinion, Uncategorized

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS

Arlene

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My brother and I had lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen in Town Triangle today. I’m wondering if I am way off base or do others agree with my thoughts. The Shredded Mushroom and Spinach Pizzas were good, sided with good Mediterrean Salads, but my chin was about 3” above the table. I asked for a bumper seat, knowing immediately how small children feel. Alas, they had none.

The music was very loud and of a nature that was definitely not conducive to pleasant dining or digestion. Where is the sense of dining room decorum to be found?

It was also annoying to have the wait person come to us, while our mouths were busy chewing our food, and pump us for donations in “supporting the troops.” Really, doesn’t anyone respect time and place for things?

I wonder how others feel about this. Am I out of step, expecting too much for the money paid? If it were McDonald’s or Wendy’s or like fast-food places, I would understand the mentality. What are your thoughts on this?

thanksgiving, Uncategorized

A DIFFERENT THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR

Arlene

DSCF4023

A DIFFERENT THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR

This year I’m thinking a bit differently. While giving thanks for the abundance in my life, I want to send some of the love I receive to the Mid-East. This love goes to the people who are lacking in enough love that they are creating havoc and sorrow among those who have been comfortable in the love that surrounds them.

Love seems to be something many of us take for granted. We accept our families’ and friends’ hugs and affection almost without thinking about it; especially on Thanksgiving Day when aunts, uncles, and cousins come to re-unite. Brothers and sisters will share the same table laden with their favorite foods. We expect the camaraderie, the flow of stories and jokes that bind us together.

Memories of past Thanksgiving Day celebrations are varied and many. Some of the painful ones, when everything seemed to go wrong, make for the best stories now. As the stories get told and re-told, they may alter a bit, get a bit exaggerated, but the core remains. Laughter abounds regardless.

This year, with so much fear about personal safety and holiday traveling, I want to send love out to those who cause the fear. Maybe if they receive enough love, compassion, and understanding of a culture so different from ours in the western world, that they will re-think what they are doing, learn to love and live good lives.

Hopefully, many others will join me and create a huge cloud of love and peace to send out to the troubled areas of our world.

anthology, booksigning, First Friday Poetry Night, Warren Artists' Market

BIG HUGS AND BIGGER THANKS

Arlene

20151106_21275920151106_21075820151106_212937Big hugs and bigger thanks to all who came to the WAM 2nd annual anthology Book Release Reception on Friday the 6th. You made it a huge success and made us WAM folks walk on air in delight. Area writers in the anthology and featured readers were Cat Graham, LaVerne Gardner, D. Bernard Alston, Joyce Lindenmuth, Deanie Carter, Maggie Chalifoux, Jenny G. Gray, Swen Gerards, Sandra Butler Tubbs, Jack Peachum, Michael Layne, and of course, Thomas Park, and me. Sherman Johnson read his special poem about an 11 year old girl that touched us all. Chris Hunter sang a perfect ending for a perfect night.
The Warren FoodWorks presented a delectable array of hors’d oeuvres. Sterling Cheston carried us into and maintained our party atmosphere with his perfect music selections. Our sponsors, Dr. & Mrs. Cosmos George and John Earl Alston, are held in sincere honor for helping us bring our community together and in keeping the arts alive in Warren County. Also thanks to Jennifer Harris of the Warren Record for printing the article that called many listeners to join in.

book review

CASSANDRA AND THE GI P.I. Vol 2

Arlene

002

Cassandra hones her many skills, beginning with nursing Harry from that nasty bump on his head. Her sensitivity skills heighten as her adventures with Harry Shields intensifies. She acknowledges his past undercover work as it may endanger her life, too. It does. Alfie and Chris, Harry’s closest friends come into the story, adding another layer of mystery.
As Cassandra and her GI P.I.’s wedding date looms, with all the excitement of society and privacy, they find new areas to explore, make new plans, and sometimes get side tracked.
Volume 2 adds new dimensions in excitement for this couple as they plow through, happy to just be together. Highly recommend this continuing mystery at Dupont Circle in the Washington, DC ‘60s.

book review

BOOK REVIEW: CASSANDRA AND THE GI P.I. A Dupont Circle Mystery Volume 2 by Meriewether Shipley

Arlene

002
Cassandra hones her many skills, beginning with nursing Harry from that nasty bump on his head. Her sensitivity skills heighten as her adventures with Harry Shields intensifies. She acknowledges his past undercover work as it may endanger her life, too. It does. Alfie and Chris, Harry’s closest friends come into the story, adding another layer of mystery.
As Cassandra and her GI P.I.’s wedding date looms, with all the excitement of society and privacy, they find new areas to explore, make new plans, and sometimes get side tracked.
Volume 2 adds new dimensions in excitement for this couple as they plow through, happy to just be together. Highly recommend this continuing mystery at Dupont Circle in the Washington, DC ‘60s.

anthology, booksigning, First Friday Poetry Night, New book release, Poetry

WARREN ARTISTS’ MARKET RELEASES SECOND ANNUAL ANTHOLOGY

Arlene

DSCF3983   The Warren Artists’ Market (WAM) founder, Thomas Park has announced the completion of Preserved Life: Memories, a 2nd annual anthology. The book features 52 writers, at least 13 from Warren County, including poems from the late, respected, hometown writer Edwina Rooker. Submissions came from as far away as India.

The Book Release reception is scheduled to blend with WAM’s traditional First Friday Poetry Night on November 6, held at Warren FoodWorks, 108 S. Main Street, Warrenton, from 7 until 9 p. m. Local writers have been invited to read from their work. The event is open mic. Others who are not in the anthology are welcome to read also.

The 253 page book will be available for $15 each. Refreshments will be served. There is no admission fee.

The Artists’ Collective hosts First Friday Poetry Nights, book readings/signings for local authors, mural workshops, writing groups, drumming, and after-school tutoring.