Quin-Quotes

Happy Thanksgiving one and all from Curious Penman! Today’s Quin-Quote comes from William Arthur Ward about giving thanks. The way he puts it, “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” It’s not just having what you want, it’s also wanting what you have! This Thanksgiving, let’s make sure to express proper appreciation for the good things we’ve already been granted, that we never take our luck for granted.

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Quin-Quotes

Today’s Quin-Quote comes from Adam Cohen on the diverting nature of stories. He says, “Escapism makes a lot of intuitive sense – whisk people away from their cares with stories of a better life.” Live your best life vicariously through your imagination!

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Quin-Quotes

Today’s Quin-Quote comes from the late Pope John Paul II on the subject of freedom. In his own words, “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” Americans are fortunate to have the inalienable right to vote. Let’s not lose it, but use it! Exercise your right, get out and vote!

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John Cowgill at the Mid-Atlantic Photo Visions Expo

11/03/2024 ‑ Hello one and all!  Curious Penman is proud to inform you that fellow writer and railroad photojournalist John Cowgill was one of the featured shutterbugs at the Eleventh Annual Mid-Atlantic Photo Vision (MAVP) Expo on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd at the Hylton Performing Arts Center!  MAPV is a non-profit, organized by seven Virginia and Maryland photo clubs, that promotes the appreciation of photographic art and provides education for individuals at all levels of experience.

There were many workshops, such as stillife lighting and artificial intelligence in photography, offered by various expert photographers, the lobby was abuzz with activity as representatives from Sony, Nikon, and other camera manufacturers flogged their wares, and various photographers compiled their works into coffee table anthologies for sale. 

The main gallery adjacent to the lobby hosted works of photographers from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.  Categories included wildlife, portrait, and altered photography. 

Our heartiest congrats to John Cowgill for his inclusion in this year’s MAPV display!

John Cowgill with his “Talking Parrot”

Catch you on the flipside!

Quin-Quotes

Greetings one and all! Election Day is only four days away, today’s Quin-Quote comes from the man, the legend, our first Constitutionally elected president, George Washington. In his own words, “For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.” Your vote is your voice, and if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it! So get out there and use it!

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Spilled Ink VA

10/26/2024 – Hello and Happy Halloween from Curious Penman! Spilled In VA was held on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Jirani Coffeehouse at 9425 West St in Manassas VA at 6 pm, and it was a blast! Curious Penman was among those in attendance. Curious Penman read a new piece of horror fiction in observance of Halloween. Other writers shared their own salutes to the forthcoming holiday, including John Cowgill’s three comedic takes on monsters, the devil, and woodland creepers, Morgan Hazelwood’s take on faries, a few observations on the metaphor of monster as self, and Spilled Ink had three newcomers! Jirani Coffeehouse is a regular hub of writing activity during fourth weekends, with Happy Hour Café moving to Jirani from 4-6pm every fourth Friday, followed by Spilled Ink VA from 6-9pm. Spilled Ink VA is an open mic venue for new and established writers to road test new material in front of a built-in audience. If you’re looking to grow your writing skills, meet fellow scribblers, or just see what there is to offer, be at Jirani Coffeehouse every Fourth Friday at 4 pm and every Fourth Saturday at 12:45 pm!.

Happy Halloween and catch you on the flipside!

Quin-Quotes

Today’s Halloween Quin-Quotes come from the greeting card industry. Some of the more popular are “It’s Halloween; everyone’s entitled to one good scare.” “The world turned upside down–in a good way–for one black velvet night.” “There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch.” So throw on your best costume, grab your largest treat bucket, and have a Happy Halloween!

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New Prince William County Poet Lauriette

10/12/2024 – Hello and Happy Halloween from Curious Penman!  The Curious Penman staff went to the Prince William Poet Lauriette Crowning Ceremony on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center!  This event determined who would be Prince William County’s 2024-2026 Poet Lauriette.

The ceremony was presided over by Cathy Hailey and Alice Mergler, co-founders and ranking boardmembers of the Poet Lauriette Circle.  The five finalists were Juhn Dutton, Britney Anderson, Brian Donnel James, Eric Kellum, and Sarah Ann Winn.  Previous Poet Lauriettes who read their works were Rob Scott, Kathy Smallz, and the 2022-2024 Poet Lauriette Michelle Garcia-King.

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After the past Lauriettes and the finalists shared their works with the audience, sixth grade English teacher and founder of Spilled Ink John Dutton was crowned as the 2024-2026 Prince William County Poet Lauriette!  Our hartiest congratulations to John for his win and sincere thanks to the other finalists for sharing their work with us!

For more info on the Poet Lauriette program, check it out here!

Catch ya on the flip side!