Jefferson Community College State University of New York Watertown, New York
Volume XXXIII Spring 2023
EDITORS Dr. Christine Pristash, Editor in Chief Lucinda Barbour, Art Editor Roy Romano, Aleksin Ortega, and Corey Pentoney, Literary Judges Ashley Collins, Emma King, Descrendre Sforza, and Corey Starks, Student Literary Editors Josh Dickinson and Jess Leigh, Literary Editor/Proofreader
COVER ART
Jessiah Okai,
Outstanding Artwork Contributor for Hidden Truth (mixed media)
Opinions expressed by the authors and artists do not necessarily reflect those of
the editors or of Jefferson Community College.
Introduction
Lucinda Barbour
Springtime brings a surge of creative energy and opportunity for growth, and
it is the time to release a new edition of the Black River Review. The 2023 edition has themes with a great range of topics: the passage of time, forgotten
items, inspiration found in nature, the importance of humor, and a surprising number
of wonderful, winged things! Some of the subjects are as subtle as the rhythm of ripples
on water; others are mysterious with twisting vines and cobwebs. Several delve into
painful memories, and another playfully explores making new patterns with a bird's
feathers. Art and literature can help us find our voice, strength, and resilience,
as well as a positive way to shine a light and to move forward.
The Black River Review is always a result of collaboration. This edition exemplifies the teamwork of faculty,
staff, contributors, and student literary editors who helped with the selection of
written works. Since the magazine’s inception, the cover has featured a current student
artist. This year’s cover-art called Hidden Truth, by Jessiah Okai, with its carefully observed lunar moth masking a young woman’s
face, implies that there are things yet to be discovered or known. Butterflies and
moths can represent transformation or a flight of the imagination.
Jefferson Community College has a wealth of thoughtful people to be found in the students,
faculty, staff, and alumni. The Black River Review is a creative outlet that allows us to celebrate and enjoy endeavors from this talented
group. It is a true gift to have time to explore, practice, and create in a safe and
supportive place. This is my 27th year as Art Editor for the magazine. In May, I will be stepping back from full-time
teaching in order to have more time to make art, and I want to wish the college and
this marvelous journal continued success.
Black River Review Contributors, 2023
* Indicates Outstanding Creative Writing or Art Contributor
Corey Pentoney, "Stickworks, Tupper Lake Wild Center" (photo)
Kylie Thomas, "Connected as One" (ink drawing)
Rae Knapp, "Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia)" (ink drawing)
Pamela Dixon, "A Rare Breed" (photo)
Paige Soules, "Escape" (collage)
Hannah Cooley, "Loon on Lake" (collage)
Madison Truesdell, "Rainwater Revival" (ink drawing)
Joshua Rowe, "Right Where I Need to Be" (collage)
Arsynio Robinson, "Be Not Afraid" (ink drawing)
Madison Truesdell, "Life of the Great Sphinx" (collage)
Erin McCarthy Greene (Class of 1974), "Otter Creek Snowfall" (photo)
Hannah Cooley, "Spotted Lion" (ink drawing)
Joshua Rowe, "Snailsman the Salesman" (collage)
Elena Dickinson, "Luna Moth" (photo)
Collage
Ink Drawing
Photo
Contributor's Notes
plans to go on for her Bachelor of Fine Arts before pursuing her master's degree in
Medical Illustration. She has an amazing attention for detail and a great deal of
patience -- especially for refining her drawings.
is a writer, actor, recording artist and arts educator originally from Watertown,
NY. Most recently, her poem "Love Letter" -- ode to the North Country -- was featured
as a part of the Adirondack Center for Writing's PoemVillage2022 installation in Saranac
Lake, NY. She has also been published in several anthologies, including Breath of Love, and in the fall of 2021, her work was chosen to be part of the U.S. debut of the
Of Earth and Sky outdoor exhibition and its corresponding poetry anthology.
is a JCC alumnus who has enjoyed writing in the North Country since his graduation.
is a junior at Beaver River Central and an EDGE student. She enjoys reading the work
of L. M. Montgomery and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
is an Associate Professor of English at Jefferson. He participates in the National
Novel Writing Month contest each November.
holds an associate degree and bachelor's degree from Franklin University. A JCC employee,
this fall, she will reach her 17-year milestone as a member of the Marketing and Communications
Office. She enjoys gardening, photography, hiking, reading, and JCC fitness challenges.
is a Humanities and Social Science major at JCC, graduating spring 2023. After graduation,
she will continue to travel the world and attend concerts with her spouse, spend time
with their two kids, friends, family, and simply enjoy the journey.
enjoys writing and photography.
is an editor at the Thousand Islands Sun newspaper, Alexandria Bay, and she frequently
submits her photos for publication.
graduated from SUNY Potsdam in 2016 and did post-grad work at the University of Rochester.
He now lives in his hometown of Brownville and is finishing up an apprenticeship in
the pipe trades.
lives in Barnes Corners with her husband, Doug. She is currently writing a collection
of stories and poems. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
returned home in 1980, after teaching in Virginia, and has been writing about it ever
since. By writing about the North Country, and those who call it home, he hopes to
make others see the value of this place. He hopes to honor his neighbors, thanking
them for making him who he is becoming.
was born and raised in Clayton, NY. They have had a love for art since box televisions
were popular and big boxes of crayons didn't cost more than $10. They are currently
enrolled in JCC as an Individual Studies major and strive to be an art teacher to
inspire our youth.
is the birth-certificate name of Laurie Petersen, who taught English composition classes
at JCC for eight years. About five hundred of her poems are out there somewhere.
plans to pursue a career in either illustration or graphic design. She intends to
transfer to a four-year SUNY school to complete her BFA.
is a tutor, counselor, advisor, and all-around doer at Jefferson. His poems and stories
appear at random in the world, but rarely are his photographs spotted. He lives here
in Watertown with his wife Hannah and his two tortoiseshellcats, Quinn and Luna.
is currently looking to be a tattoo artist and is currently an apprentice. He/they
are curious about what will happen next in life and are going with the flow.
is majoring in creative writing and art. After JCC, he intends to pursue classes in
game design. His goal is to one day open his own independent game studio. He enjoys
nature, music, science fiction, and horror. He's kinda funny, but not like "HA-HA"
funny.
graduated from the Computer Information Technology, A.A.S. program and is a storyteller
by trade. Whether it's news, a poem, film, or short story, Ashley's time at JCC has
allowed her the ability to troubleshoot, brainstorm and develop her ideas over technological
and creative media.
is in her second year at JCC. Afterwards, she wants to attend SUNY Polytechnic to
get a degree in animation. She enjoys drawing, baking, and watching (or rewatching)
anime and other animated movies.
is an aspiring tattoo artist and intends to continue her education at a four-year
college with an exceptional art program in the near future. She is taking all the
art classes she can to improve her skills.
is currently attending JCC with plans to transfer to SUNY Polytechnic Institute to
specialize in art and Interactive Media Design. Prior to her first semester here,
during which her entries were completed, she was entirely self-taught and had never
received any formal art training, not even a secondary-level art class. Aside from
art, she loves theater and acting, partaking in local theater productions and high
school drama clubs. Madison also enjoys walks on the beach, funny films, and poking
dead things with a stick (satirically of course).
is currently enrolled in Jefferson Community College with an aspiring degree in English
Teaching. Writing has been her passion for over five years. She continues to search
for any writing opportunities annually and always anticipates creating the best piece
she can pull out of herself. She wants to personally thank her professors from Jefferson
Community College and outsiders for taking the time to read; the rotten fruits, the
change in the leaves, the sunshine, and the colors she is made of.
retired from the Melvil Dewey Library and the North Country to live in the Sunny Southland
and seek his fortune.
SUBMISSIONS
The editors seek original submissions in the following categories: Poetry: Up to 7 poems, not to exceed 50 lines each Fiction: Up to 2 short stories, not to exceed 1500 words each Non-Fiction: Up to 2 essays, not to exceed 1500 words each Plays: Up to 2 one-act plays, not to exceed 1500 words each Artwork: Up to 4 works In the original medium, such as black ink or charcoal drawing, computer
graphics, b/w photographs, even if printed from color film Music: Up to 2 composition 16 or more measures in length
Only submissions from Jefferson Community College students (full or part time), faculty,
staff, and alumni will be considered. Include name, address, and phone number on each
submitted work, as well as a biographical note of 30 words or fewer. Cash awards for
outstanding work will be awarded. All submissions become the property of the Black River Review. Submitted works will not be returned.
The editors also seek original submissions for the North Country Writers in the following categories:
Poetry: Not to exceed 100 lines Fiction: 1,000-3,000 words Non-Fiction: 1,000-3,000 words
Open to all who live (or have lived) in the North Country. Entries must be previously
unpublished work, in letter quality, double spaced, and should reflect a connection
to the North Country. A maximum of 3 submissions will be considered from any one participant.
Winners from the previous year will not be considered in the same category.
$75 first place prize in each category with online publication. $25 honorable mention prize in each category with online publication.
Submitting and presenting work: For both the Black River Review and North Country Writers submissions, include name, address, and phone number on each submitted work as well
as a biographical note of 30 words or fewer when submitting for either publication;
remove name from manuscript. See sunyjefferson.edu/brr for submission forms. All submissions become the property of the Black River Review, submitted works will not be returned. However, after first publication, all rights
revert back to authors.
Award recipients are encouraged to participate in the reading of works and presentation
of awards during the Black River Review unveiling in May 2022.
Deadline for Volume XXXIII: February 16, 2023
APPRECIATION
Publication of the Black River Review is made possible by support from the School of Arts & Humanities. Funds for student
awards for outstanding artwork and writing are provided by the Jefferson Community
College Campus Life Committee and Campus Activities Board.
CREDITS
Typing and layout for this volume of the Black River Review is done using Microsoft Word. Typing by Christine Pristash and Jess Jones; prize
notification by Jess Jones. Printing by Mitchell's Speedway Press. Digital photography
and logo design by Marketing. Website layout by Andrew Lackey and Jess Jones.
