Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair August 2015 "Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." -- John Barrymore. Here is a happy thing: Beginning a feature article to highlight persons in Art, Music, and/or Crafts has been on the back burner for awhile. This month puts the spotlight on Phil Hennessy, one of our long time friends and regular contributors of quality reading material in this ezine. Plans include frequent presentations of other outstanding artists in their various fields, and gives your editor a chance to expand the informational and educational quality of Pencil Stubs Online, while having fun doing it. Thomas F. O'Neill ("Introspective") put together a lesson plan for his students in Suzhou International Foreign Language School in Suzhou, China. The class is designed to show how religiously diverse America is and how freedom of religion is an important part of our American culture. Mattie Lennon ("Irish Eyes") shares details from Listowel's annual literary event, and adds some fun from the Hillbilly Tractor Run, the second year for the event. The Cooking Column now has a new author, Roderick Cohenour. Rod, as he prefers, has enjoyed culinary arts for many years, beginning at a tender age, but we'll let him tell about that. He brings us the How to for one of his specialties: Rod's Stacked Puerco Adovada Enchiladas. We will be looking for the return of Nancy Park and John Blair, both who let us know Summer activities were at the top of their priorities for the August issue, but expect to be refreshed and ready for writing soon. Blair, who wears many hats though basically retired, stays busy but managed to send us this poignant poem, "Vacant." Reminded your editor of seeing her grandparents former home space. Bud Lemire's six poems are: "Love Beyond Compare," "Blowing Bubbles," "Childhood Memories," "Make It Your Own," "What You Deserve,"and "The 4th of July". Bruce Clifford shared "Summer Has Come," "Have You Given Up On Me," "Event Horizon," and "Where Are We Now." Mark Crocker penned an elegant tribute to his grandfather, "For My Gramps" after the recent loss. Frank Ponsford had achieved the venerable age of 100yrs 3 months and 2 days. Rebecca Morris' serial "The Adventures of Ollie Dare" continues with Chapter 4 "Ollie-Dare Meets Samual The Balloonist" for this issue. Share this with your reading youngsters. Thanks again to Mike Craner for his expertise and patience that allows this little ezine to continue its mission of encouraging writers, experienced and beginners, and to promote reading. TV has done a lot to discourage reading as a pastime, but we are holding fast. Click on author's byline for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online. This issue appears in the ezine at www.pencilstubs.com and also in the blog www.pencilstubs.net with the capability of adding comments at the latter.