Celebrating Spring Issue Of ‘The Newtowner’

By Kendra Bobowick

The Newtowner’s spring issue is full of young writers’ contributions, art, prose, and more.

A quarterly art and literary magazine, The Newtowner celebrated its spring edition on March 12, introducing  the new Youth Expressions section. Greeting guests to a small gathering of staff and contributors mingling in the C.H. Booth Library meeting room were junior editors Nikki Bernhart and Caroline McArdle, who both have entries published this month. Flipping through pages of glossy artwork and artful phrases, the girls sought to define poetry.

“Indescribable,” Nikki said, then added, “It’s anything and everything.”

Speaking with Editor in Chief Georgia Monaghan was artist Michael Morshuk, who had submitted his painting of a pale green water body, titled, “Quest For The Vernal Pond.” Nearby were young ladies, Elizabeth Chamiec-Case and Sara Kennedy. Elizabeth had submitted a poem, “Battle Cry,” that was “just about a rainstorm,” she said.

Resident Ellen Parrella enjoyed refreshments and spoke with Wally Wood, while violinist Lindsey Jones floated her soft notes over the din.

Managing Editor Aimee Pokwatka spoke with contributing writer Lisa Levy, and paused to explain the spring edition, which debuts the Youth Expressions.

“There is a variety of writing from the younger grades,” she said, glancing to the table where Nikki and Caroline sat. Turning back to Ms Levy, she said the author’s story, “The Drowning,” would also see its first publication in The Newtowner. Ms Pokwatka had requested Ms Levy’s story about a girl with bones that turn to water.

Laughing together, and wearing floor-length spring dresses, were McKenzee Hughes and Amethyst Van Antwerp, aiming their cameras at the crowd and “sneaking” photos, they admitted. Across from them was Chris Belden, who holds a creative writing class for inmates at Garner Correctional Institution.

Ms Monaghan soon had a moment to talk about this issue. “We’re excited,” she said. She touted the “fabulous junior” contributions this issue. “They were making editor’s decisions and had a part of the say in creating the youth section.”

The Newtowner editor is currently seeking summer edition submissions. The deadline is April 1. “There is no theme,” Ms Pokwatka said. She welcomes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or art. Guidelines are available at NewtownerMagazine.homestead.com.