A Letter from The Editor

Quarter 1, 2020

When I was very young we drove a station wagon everywhere. It was the mode of transportation for a large family in the 70s. And that we were. My grandmother lived in Southern Indiana outside a small town called Liberty. She remained on the family farm where my dad grew up until a late age. The approach to her home was a series of low rolling hills with quick dips. When my dad drove over the hills at just the right speed it would cause a deep tickle in the pit of our tummies. The feeling was both joyful and fearful at the same time. A deep satisfying laughter burst forth. Thrilling in ways we did not yet understand or often experience. This was a feeling that drilled the very core of your being.

We would say, “Do it again, Daddy!”

You might feel that deep thrill at different points in your life. There are times art and writing can provide that deep and tipsy thrill. This past week I was at the Poetry Den where I heard Lisa De Berry read a poem about revolution. Her passionate recitation of her powerful poem left the podium on fire and left us regaling in her syntax. I hope that there is something in our magazine that gives you a thrill in the pit of your stomach. I hope a poem brings you a smile, or a picture makes your day. PAN-O-PLY is a source of entertainment. I hope you find something that makes you say, “Do it again!”

Please read deep into the different pages. We are publishing four short stories in our writers’ section Bruce Wakeland, Essel Pratt, Cassandra Felten and Amy Martin Grace. We have new poetry from Amanda Bergan, Howard Mueller, Chris Wheeler and our February poet of the Month Jake Webster. We welcome Bob Watson as our Featured artist. We are pleased to bring you Angelica Frausto with a new feature for our quarterly issue Gallery Show. We have a new section of cartoons and graphic arts where you can enjoy the returning artist Hannah Muratori, new to PAN-O-PLY Michael Schreiner and graphic artist Vincent Powell. In March look for the Artist of the Month Todd Hoover.

I want to give a special thank you to Cynthia Connell Davis our Poetry Editor and Christina Clark for insightful articles on people who make a positive influence on art and life in Michiana.

Thank you to Russell Frantom for allowing us to show his art on our quarter one post cards. Russell Frantom was our January 2020 artist of the month.

Please support PAN-O-PLY by purchasing a t-shirt through Redbubble. https://www.redbubble.com/people/panoply/shop?asc=u. Your purchase will help us to publish more writers and show more Michiana Artists.

Thank you for reading PAN-O-PLY Story & Art Michiana.

Daniel Breen

PAN-O-PLY magazine publishes stories, poetry, articles and art by the residents of Michiana. PAN-O-PLY seeks to discover Story & Art in the life of Michiana. PAN-O-PLY features articles about the craft of life and those who live well. We want to highlight the everyday excellence of people in our communities. We strive to explore the unique heritage and diversity of our region. PAN-O-PLY desires to provide an outlet for respectful thought and conversation. We encourage creativity, adventure and a lust for living an artful life.