Category: From the Editor

From the Editor

New prose & poetry at New England Memories

Linda J Thomas

I’m pleased to welcome Leslie Vogel and Linda Warren to the list of contributors to New England Memories with Leslie’s essay “Climbing Mount Monadnock” and Linda’s poem “Great Blue Heron on the Swift River.” Also, Elaine Reardon has added to her work at the site with two poems: “Winter Sounds” and “Easter Cherog.”

As I write this post, it’s been a year since the pandemic began—a year of loss, challenges, and much New England ingenuity to persevere. Thank you, Elaine, Linda, and Leslie for sharing your work while we wait out the storm.

Take care,

Linda Thomas, Editor
New England Memories

From the Editor

New work published at New England Memories

Linda J Thomas
Wallis Sands Beach, New Hampshire
Photograph by Linda J Thomas

I’m pleased to announce new work in New England Memories in which three writers eloquently guide us—to the shore of the multi-natured sea, or through ripening orchards, or to blueberry fields—as they share their memories and reflections.

Berith Aargh Hogan shares her story of family, loss, and solace in her lyrical essay “They, Me & the Sea.”

Theresa Hickey’s poems “Dappled Days” and “Of Water and Sea” show us awe, comfort, and strength found in nature’s land and sea.

Elaine Reardon’s poem “Nan” invites us into family traditions across cultures, and the gifts they bring.

I know this is a challenging summer for all of us as we cope the best we can during the COVID-19 pandemic. So I’m especially grateful to Berith, Theresa, and Elaine for the time and creative energy they gave to share their work with New England Memories.

We hope you enjoy reading their work. And we hope it brings you inspiration during these daunting days.

Take care,

Linda Thomas, Editor
Pine Siskin Press

From the Editor

New creative nonfiction & call for submissions

Linda J Thomas
Spring on the inside
Photograph by Linda J Thomas

Happy 2020 from New England Memories! We said farewell to 2019 with new poetry–Parker Towle’s “Sugarloaf Descent,” Ann B. Day’s “One Last Sweet Breath,” and Yvona Fast’s “Dormant Stillness.”

We also published a humorous memoir essay by first-time contributor Jesseca P. Timmons, titled “Agatha” about two sisters, four turkeys, and one “sonofabitch” dog named Louis.

To begin 2020, we’re featuring a memoir essay titled “Gertrude’s Gifts” by Jennifer E. Tirrell. This lovely essay about family and belonging is Jennifer’s first contribution to New England Memories.

I would love to see more submissions in essay form about childhood memories, similar to Jesseca’s and Jennifer’s essays. What favorite memory of a family member, childhood friend, or pet could you share with New England Memories?

My grateful thanks to our latest contributors for sharing their work with New England Memories.

Wishing you the best of memories,

Linda Thomas, Editor
Pine Siskin Press

pinesiskinpress@gmail.com

 

 

From the Editor

Rolling publication & new features

Linda J Thomas
Berkshire Barn Garden
Photograph by Linda J Thomas

Now in its fourth year, New England Memories has a new publication process and features.

As of 2019, I’ll be publishing accepted work on a rolling basis. That is, rather than publishing a collection of work by 5 to 7 individuals in a seasonal issue, I’ll be posting individuals’ work as it is received, reviewed, and accepted. (The original 8 issues of New England Memories are still available from the Read Past Issues page.)

The Home page of this site now features the titles of the most recently published work with links to their respective pages.

From the navigation menu, you can also browse published work by genre (that is, creative nonfiction, poetry, photography, and artwork), as well as by contributor.

I hope readers and contributors will find these new features helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Linda Thomas, Editor
Pine Siskin Press

pinesiskinpress@gmail.com

 

From the Editor, Past Issues

Spring 2018 Issue

Linda J Thomas
Lupine blossoms in New Hampshire
Photograph by Linda J Thomas

Welcome to the Spring 2018 Issue of New England Memories, which is dedicated to the memory of Nori Odoi. Nori was a gifted writer, poet, and contributor to past issues of this magazine. I will miss her creative spirit and friendship.

The writing and photography in this issue take us from the spring thaw at rivers and lakes to a first taste of the ripening summer. Many thanks to the generous contributors who share their work here: Parker Towle, Rodger Martin, Yvona Fast, Gina Di Cicco Marino, Theresa Hickey, Carl Mabbs-Zeno, and Sherry Jennings. And thank you also to Bob Meagher for his proofreading skills.

We hope you enjoy this issue! We would love to hear from you on this post’s page in the comments section.

Wishing you the best of memories,

Linda Thomas, Editor
Pine Siskin Press

Contents

Lilacs in Glass Pitcher
Photograph by Gina Di Cicco Marino

Spring Thaw at River’s Edge
by Parker Towle

One Who Stands Alone
by Rodger Martin

Mud Season
by Yvona Fast

Photography
by Gina Di Cicco Marino

Gray Day
by Theresa Hickey

The Golden Fungus and Other Mysteries
by Carl Mabbs-Zeno

Embarking
by Parker Towle

The Gift
by Sherry Jennings

From the Editor, Past Issues

Fall 2017 Issue

Linda J Thomas
Pumpkin race
Photograph by Linda J Thomas

Welcome to the Fall 2017 Issue of New England Memories. After a hiatus during the spring and summer of this year, the magazine is back with prose, poetry, and photography to celebrate the autumn season. Thank you to Ann B. Day for sharing both her beautiful writing and photography in this issue and to J.C. Elkin, Rodger Martin, and Irma Haggerty for sharing their wonderful writing.

We hope you enjoy reading their work as you prepare for another holiday season of making memories. We would love to hear from you on this post’s page in the comments section.

Why the hiatus? Yes, the editor (moi) took time off to enjoy the warmer weather, gardening, photography, and trips to Vermont and Maine.

In addition, New England Memories is changing from a quarterly magazine to a biannual magazine (spring and fall) to provide more time between issues for submissions. We’ll see you again in the spring of 2018!

Wishing you the best of memories,

Linda Thomas, Editor
Pine Siskin Press

Contents

Photograph by Ann B. Day

Home Concert
by Ann B. Day

Foliage Tour
by J.C. Elkin

Photography
by Ann B. Day

East Boothbay
by Rodger Martin

Kayaking Streeter Pond: Seasonal Rentals
by Irma Haggerty

From the Editor, Past Issues

Winter 2017 Issue

Linda J Thomas

Welcome to the Winter 2017 Issue of New England Memories. The month of March has come in like a lion, with a forecast for night-time temperatures in the single digits this weekend in New Hampshire. It is indeed still winter!

Many thanks to the talented writers who contributed to this wintry issue: Parker Towle, Mary Elizabeth McClellan, Ann B. Day, and Nori Odoi. They share their stories of driving over icy mountains, leaving the driving to someone else,  trekking to the barn in sub-zero temperatures, and walking—sometimes hip deep—in snow. And thank you to Martha Andrews Donovan who shares the magic of the Maine seascape in her striking photographs.

We hope you enjoy this issue and would love to hear from you on this post’s page in the comments section.

Wishing you the best of memories,

Linda Thomas, Editor
Pine Siskin Press

Contents

Lopaus Point Road, Bernard, Maine
Photograph by Martha Andrews Donovan

New Hampshire Notches in December
by Parker Towle

My New World Without a Car
by Mary Elizabeth McClellan

Photography
by Martha Andrews Donovan

Winter Chores
by Ann B. Day

On Walking Through the Woods
in Deep Snow
During a Blizzard
Wearing Sneakers
by Nori Odoi

From the Editor, Past Issues

Fall 2016 Issue

Linda J Thomas
Mountaintop view, New Hampshire
by Linda J Thomas

Welcome to the Fall 2016 Issue of New England Memories as we say good-bye to November. We aptly begin with Parker Towle’s poem, “Remembrance” in which he portrays a family’s gathering on Thanksgiving, as it has gathered for generations. In her essay “Rocks and Roots,” Janet Banks takes us up a frightening, yet life-affirming mountainside in New Hampshire in late October.

The vivid colors and textures of this season are captured by David Thomas in his photographs of the Gloucester, Massachusetts seacoast. And in “Mast Year,” abundant acorns remind poet Deborah Murphy of a box of buttons from her childhood.

I encourage you to read Tom Sheehan’s essay “Talk from the Back of Tim’s Barn” aloud. Not only will you hear the sights, sounds, and stories of an aging Maine barn, you will also hear the music of Tom Sheehan’s words.

We end this issue with Tom Sacramona’s two haiku about Concord, Massachusetts, in which he conveys so much with so few words.

Thank you to these talented contributors for sharing their work with New England Memories. We hope you enjoy this issue and would love to hear from you on this post’s page in the comments section.

Wishing you the best of memories,

Linda Thomas, Editor
Pine Siskin Press

Contents

Gloucester, Massachusetts
Photograph by David Thomas

Remembrance
by Parker Towle

Rocks and Roots
by Janet Banks

Photography
by David Thomas

Mast Year
by Deborah Murphy

Talk from the Back of Tim’s Barn
by Tom Sheehan

Two Haiku
by Tom Sacramona