For more information, contact Dr. Rick Abel, 620-792-9333.

June 21, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Jerke

Barton Community College and the Barton County Arts Council celebrated the release of the college’s first literary magazine, Prairie Ink, with a host of college representatives, arts council members and people from the community June 19 at the BCAC headquarters in downtown Great Bend.

The event celebrated not only the new magazine, but also the talents and hard work of Editors Jaime Oss and Teresa Johnson and the magazine’s contributors, who are the authors of the short fiction, poetry, memoirs and creative prose that became the essence of this first publication.

The authors come from the college’s service area, including high school and college students, both traditional and non-traditional, college alumni, college faculty and staff, lifelong residents of the area, as well as newcomers to the community.

Readers during the celebration included Victor Isham, Great Bend, who wrote about his experiences as a soldier in Iraq; Jennifer Underwood, Sterling, reading from her memoir titled “Kutunga,” a touching account of her experiences on a mission trip to Africa to help orphaned children; George Martin, Ellinwood, who read from his series of short anecdotes from his 1950s military experiences; Grace Bell, whose good-natured poem about education brought smiles from her listeners; Barton’s forensics instructor Kenny Hopkinson, who read a fun poem about playing pickup sticks with his niece; Barton library technician Regina Reynolds, reading her poem about her mother’s beauty, faith and courage in the face of cancer.

Frances Fox, Great Bend, read from her memoir about making music in the community as one of a trio of singers through high school and later on the local radio station. Luanne French, a retired English teacher, read from her memoir of growing up during the Depression. Others also read from their stories or poems, all giving a glimpse of what the new magazine offers this year and the opportunities it will offer for years to come.

The 2010 edition of Prairie Ink has a total of 27 pieces and 22 contributors. The magazine is free. Anyone who would like to have a copy may contact Jessica Vsetecka, faculty secretary, 620-792-9200.

The editors plan to call for submissions for next year’s publication in October.

         Celebrating Prairie Ink


Jennifer Underwood, Sterling, reads from her memoir titled “Kutunga” during the celebration of Barton Community College’s release of its first literary magazine, Prairie Ink, June 19 at the Barton County Arts Council. Many of the 22 contributing authors for the magazine’s 2010 edition were present to read excerpts from their writing. Underwood’s work is a touching account of her experiences on a mission trip to Africa to help orphaned children.


Barton Community College’s Dean of Academics Dr. Rick Abel gives words of praise for the college’s first literary magazine, Prairie Ink, during a celebration of the new publication June 19 at the Barton County Arts Council.


Prairie Ink editors Jaime Oss and Teresa Johnson watch with pride as authors from the magazine’s inaugural release read excerpts from their works during the June 19 celebration of Barton’s new magazine at the Barton County Arts Council.