BIRCH Magazine Issue 2, Winter 2014

BIRCH

North Country Arts & Lifestyle ISSUE 2

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WINTER 2014

POET ON A MISSION ST. LAWRENCE GYOTAKU PASSIONATE COLLABORATION COMING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

RUSTIC BY NATURE

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DECEMBER SOLSTICE

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TWO BIRDS & A NEST

POET ON A M I SS I O N

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ST L AW R E N C E G YOTAKU

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PA SS I O N AT E COLL A B O RAT I O N

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R UST I C BY N AT U R E

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D EC E M B E R S O LST I C E

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TWO B I R DS A N D A N EST

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COM I N G H O M E FO R T HE HO L I DAYS

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editor's corner

It’s hard to believe that from its early beginnings, BIRCH has seen one year already. And here we are with two issues under our belt. What was once purely a dream has actually taken physical shape. Such is the magic of the creative process.

We couldn’t have done it without our readers, so a big THANK YOU for supporting us in our efforts to bring you BIRCH Magazine. And for helping us to celebrate this wonderful place we call home.

There are many facets to life in the North Country and we hope we are succeeding in focusing attention on a few of them. Please stay in touch with us on Facebook and Instagram. Let us know what you’d like to see highlighted in the magazine. We are always open to ideas and suggestions.

Ryan Meashaw

f r o m t h e a s s o c i at e e d i t o r

Greetings.

Fall has gone, winter has come, and spring is on its way to the North Country. I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I certainly enjoyed mine! Ryan and I had hoped to have the winter issue out before winter even started.

Clearly, that didn’t happen.

We do apologize for the delay and thank all of you who have waited patiently for this issue.

It has been an especially busy time of year for both of us, but we worked very hard to deliver a quality magazine to our readers, and we hope you will see that in its pages.

I have been in touch with a handful of talented people, some of whom you will read about in this issue, others to be included in later issues. I want to thank those people, for reaching out to us, and being a part of our dream. You are all an inspiration and a reminder to keep this up.

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With that said, if you are an artist or simply an all around interesting person who has something you’d like to share with us and our community, let us know. We’re open to ideas and would love to hear yours!

You can contact us by email, or through our Facebook page.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Jessie LaRose Associate Editor

BIRCH Ryan Meashaw FOUNDER | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF editor@birchmagazine.com

Jessie LaRose ASSOCIATE EDITOR jessie@birchmagazine.com

Colin Brotherton CREATIVE DIRECTOR

www.BIRCHMagazine.com

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CA R LTON D. FI S H E R , P UB LI S HING EDITOR, JANE’S BOY

poet on a mission

A diligent poet and writer is singlehandedly making opportunities for himself and fellow writers in Jefferson County. Carlton Fisher is an English Instructor at Jefferson Community College in Watertown New York and is the prime example of a poet on a mission, a prolific and almost intuitive writer who is heavily focused on sharing his poems with the masses.

Several questions were posed to Carlton to help readers understand his mission.

CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR Hope Marshall

How long have you been working on the goal to have your own press?

“The idea, originally, was to start with just a journal, but as I started working on that project, I realized I wanted to be able to do more than just the occasional magazine. So about a year ago, I began thinking about how to put one together and examining whether or not I could merge that with everything else that I was doing in my life. At first, I wanted to call it Lake Effect Press-something with a decidedly regional flair--but it turned out the name was already taken, so I started thinking about ways that I could name the press that would somehow honor my mother’s family. I cycled through a series of different names, and finally, one night, the name Jane’s Boy came to me, honoring my mother. I decided to release my own book as the first title from the press to make sure that the process would work and the books would look good. When the book came out in November, I was really happy to see that it looked professional, and I felt safe making the commitments to putting out work from other people. We now have one more book coming out in the Spring of 2015, and another in early 2016, plus we are taking submissions for more work. Our submissions platform opened just before Thanksgiving.”

Carlton D. Fisher is a Push-Cart Prize nominated poet and writer who works full time at Jefferson Community College as an English Instructor. His work has appeared in over 20 publications, including Assaracus, MiPOesias, OCHO, The Paterson Literary Review, Main Street Rag, and Weave. He is the founder and Executive Editor of Jane’s Boy Press, which is dedicated to publishing poetry chapbooks, full-length collections and the journal Ishka Bibble.

You can find out more at www.carltondfisher.com and www.janesboypress.com

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poet on a mission Hope Marshall

What factors have contributed to the press becoming reality?

“Surprisingly, quite a few things that helped contribute to the press becoming reality happened when I wasn’t even thinking about opening a press. I’ve had several jobs that involved needing to assemble publications--whether they were program guides, orientation manuals, or other pieces. So I had a working knowledge of the programs that I needed to use in order to assemble the publications. I also am very fortunate to have connections with some excellent poets who also work as editors, including Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Bryan Borland, who have been able to give me feedback and advice as I worked on pulling everything together. One of my co-workers, Christie Grimes, also introduced me to a web design platform that allowed me to be able to build my own web pages. Since everything for the press is handled electronically, being able to make the jump to the online platform was essential. I wouldn’t have even tried doing any of this if I wasn’t able to build the online resources for it.”

What factors have held you back? Presuming there have been set backs...

“There’s always the universal setback for everyone--money. It wasn’t an incredible amount of money to start everything up, but I didn’t have a reserve fund just laying around waiting for me to dip into. I managed to cover quite a bit out-of-pocket along the way, but I finally arranged a small loan from my retirement account which covered the last major start-up costs, and also allowed me to set some money aside for marketing and promotion. This allowed me to get the submissions manager open over a month earlier than expected, and we’ve already begun getting submissions.

Over the next few months, there are a few outlets that will be running advertising on the national level, and we’ll also be promoting through some online platforms for writers.”

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What do you hope to accomplish in the coming year?

“In late spring, we’ll be releasing our first full-length collection--the debut from a wonderful poet named Ann Clark who I have been fortunate to work with for a number of years now in workshops and classrooms. Ann has a sizable list of publications she has appeared in, and I’m very excited that she’s agreed to do her first book with us. In the fall, we’ll be releasing the first issue of Ishka Bibble, which is the main journal for the press. The journal’s identity is coming together as submissions come in. We’ll have some features in the publications, but also a wide selection of poets. We’re also going to review submissions and put together our release schedule for 2016, which already looks to have a very prominent poet featured as a part of the calendar, and there will be a subscription service of 6 chapbooks. We’ll also be looking for however many quality manuscripts we can find and realistically afford to promote as heavily as possible. We want to be a great outlet for poets, but we also want to make sure that we can put the full weight of our marketing behind each release to give them the best advantage possible. There is a decided market for poetry, and I think we have the ability to expand that market if we promote smartly and help to make readers aware of how vital poetry is for today’s world.”

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J A PAN E S E ART FO R M O F FISH RUBBING

S t . L aw r e n c e G y o ta k u

contributing author Kyle Cushman

Gyotaku, is a Japanese word which translates from gyo, meaning fish and taku, meaning rubbing. Gyotaku is an art form originally practiced by the Japanese in the mid 1800’s. Gyotaku was produced to capture accurate records of fisherman’s catches. As there were no, or a limited amount of cameras at this time, it was the only way to obtain long lasting records of the fish they caught. .

st . lawrence gyotaku Kyle Cushman

I discovered the art form in 2012, being an avid fisherman and a lover of the arts, I found this to be very intriguing. I read on different methods of fish rubbings and studied several artists. I also studied their styles of rubbings and framing methods. It has taken me several rubbings to develop the styles that I use. The styles that I use consist of, single and multiple color rubbings on several different textured cloth. I have also done rubbings on maps, and would like to venture onto different mediums as well. When my rubbings are complete I then frame them in a rustic driftwood frame. I am not only limited to this style of framing, I have also used old window frames and would be interested in custom framework, to the best of my ability.

I, like many other artists, like to use a non-toxic transfer method (i.e. non-toxic Sumi ink, or a nontoxic acrylic paint). When using a non-toxic transfer method, the fish meat is unharmed and may still be consumed. In order to produce an accurate replica of the fish, it is best to keep the fish unharmed and on ice until the rubbing commences. You will want to keep all the scales and fins intact and most importantly wait to filet the fish until after the rubbing or rubbings are complete. I have completed rubbings of my own catches, and also the catches of other people.

The method of fish rubbing that I use is called the “direct method�. First I take my fish and wash it to get all of the natural slime off. The next step is to dry the fish so that the subject is tacky and clean of blood and slime. I then remove the eye, and place paper towel in the socket. I place paper towel in the mouth, gill slits, and anus as well. I do this so that no fluid will cause my paint to become thin and bleed out. After this is done, I pin my fins where I want them to stay. I then place cardboard underneath the tail and fins, so that I have a sturdy fin to press against. Now it’s time to add the paint. You can use any color you desire, but the traditional Gyotaku style is black sumi-ink on white rice paper.

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To get the paint underneath the scales really well, it’s best to paint from the tail to the head. After all the paint is applied, obtain the medium you are choosing to transfer the image on. Line the fish over the medium so that you will get the image exactly where you want it to be. Then it’s time to rub. Make sure you cover the entire body of the fish, as you don’t want to lose any detail. When you lift your medium off of the fish’s body make sure to remove it quickly but with precision to avoid paint smears, or pick up any additional paint from your working station. You can then hang your fish rubbing(s) to dry.

I can usually get 7-8 rubbings per fish before the paint begins to dry and bead up. You can always rewash your fish and start over, if you desire. As long as I am using an edible fish, I then wash the non-toxic acrylic paint off and filet my future diner. After I am done fileting my fish I bury it in my back yard and it becomes fertilizer for my lawn. The eyes and teeth are then hand painted when necessary.

I sell my finished rubbings, out of my home, at craft fairs, and art shows.

You can see updates of my rubbings at facebook.com/ stlawrencegyotaku

Contact the artist Phone: (315) 276-1159 Email: sinkinanchorssince1984 @gmail.com Facebook messages

You can use any color you desire, but the traditional Gyotaku style is black sumi-ink on white rice paper. To get the paint underneath the scales really well, it’s best to paint from the tail to the head. After all the paint is applied, obtain the medium you are choosing to transfer the image on. Line the fish over the medium so that you will get the image exactly where you want it to be. And then it’s time to rub. Make sure you cover the entire body of the fish, as you don’t want to lose any detail. When you lift your medium off of the fish’s body make sure to remove it quickly but with precision as you don’t want to have any of your paint smear, or pick up any additional paint from your working station. You can then hang your fish rubbing(s) to dry. I can usually get 7-8 rubbings per fish before the paint begins to dry and bead up. You can always rewash your fish and start over, if you desire. As long as I am using an edible fish, I then wash the non-toxic acrylic paint off and fillet my future diner. After I am done filleting my fish I then bury it in my back yard and it becomes fertilizer for my lawn. When your rubbing is completely dry you then hand paint your eye in, and teeth when necessary.

I do rubbings of my own catches, but will also do any of your catches that you want to remember. Have a son, daughter, or grandchild catch their first fish. I could rub it and they would have the memory for many years to come. And it’s much cheaper than taxidermy. All you need to do is put the fish on ice and contact me as soon as possible. Do not fillet or alter the fish in any way. My prices fluctuate on the size of the final painting.

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D E E P R O OT CE N T E R FO R S E LF - DIRECTED LEARNING

P A S S I O N AT E C O L L A B O R AT I O N

Passion - it is the best word I can come up with to describe how Chelle Lindahl, Paula Youmell, and I approach life and our life’s work.

By living and breathing our passion, each of us has carved our niche in the community. We are building Local Living Venture, Hands on Health, and Deep Root Center, and we have each become experts in our fields during this ongoing process.

CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR Maria Corse

Through our organizations, all three of us are deeply committed to education that takes a holistic approach and informs the whole person; that promotes life long selfdirected learning; that helps to sustain the earth and its people; that advocates social justice; that teaches about healthy, whole food and the local food system for dynamic, robust people and the economy; that encourages creativity; and that supports a growing, vibrant North Country community.

Yes, we are teachers, but when you look closely at each of our organizations, we are so much more. Paula, Chelle, and I are collaboratively committed to offering our skills to the community as our obligation, our gift, and our privilege.

Cooperating, collaborating, and community support are concepts that have tangible meaning and a deep, enduring history here in the North Country. This land would not have been developed if not for neighbors helping each other through the hard times. These ideas hold especially true for the three of us, two locally grown and one transplant, who are working to bring these constructs back with an initiative to share thoughts, time, and resources between our own organizations and with any other groups who would like to join us.

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passionate collaboration Maria Corse

Chelle grew up in working class San Francisco, the child of flower children in the 60s. Activism came early, with years of dedication as V.P. to the S.F. Chapter of the National Organization for Women, administration of Mission MediaArts (youth media activism training,) and helping to found a neighborhood dispute resolution service—all while still a teenager. As a restaurant owner, television producer, graphic artist, and avid rower in a cosmopolitan city in her twenties, she was none-the-less compelled to seek simpler ways to –live—and found it when she came to the North Country in 1987!

After an 18-year career at Sun Feather Natural Soaps and creating or supporting multiple other local initiatives, including the North Country Sustainable Energy Fair & Home Tours, Chelle continues that dedication to activism here in the North Country as the Co-Coordinator, and Administrator of the Local Living Venture (formerly the Sustainable Living Project).

The LLV is an educational non-profit that promotes the sharing of life skills that fosters sustainability and growth, through workshops and the Local Living Festival held every 18 months, here in the North Country. Their ongoing “resourceful living skills” workshops and the creation of a “homesteading college” to encourage more diversified farming in the area are some of the plans their ambitious organization is committed to for the future.

Paula Youmell grew up in Brasher Falls and is the founder of Hands on Health in Hannawa Falls. She explains that her educational journey toward holistic healing started as a wake-up call during her first few weeks of nursing school at SUNY Canton, 30 years ago. She quickly realized that she needed to gear her life toward healing, not just controlling disease symptoms. Her passion for real, natural, holistic health was ignited, and her holistic healing path lay before her! She describes it as an “amazing, scenic hike beside many wonderful healers, who have shared their wisdom and healing skills. With every step on my path, it is clear to me that life is about living in sync with nature; nature is who we are. When we live as intended, health and healing flow freely. I love my path working with people to improve their health in body, mind, and soul!”

Paula has also written two books in The Whole Food Kitchen Series: Hands on Health, published in 2013 and Early Morning Donuts and Coffee, available to purchase this Fall. Both of these books are written as guides, or as Paula describes them “trail heads.”

Through Hands on Health, Paula provides group classes, one-on-one client services and consulting, workshop presentations, and she recently started the Whole Health and Healing Academy in conjunction with the Local Living Venture.

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I also spent my childhood in Brasher, three doors down from Paula, and we graduated in the same class at St. Lawrence Central. After a few detours, which included starting a family of my own, I went back to college and earned a degree in Anthropology. As a non-traditional student, I discovered that people learn best when they are excited and interested in the subject. I also identified my passion for building community through education, voluntarism, and social and environmental justice.

Deep Root Center for Self-Directed Learning (DRC) is a culmination of learning, observation, hard work, research, and experimentation that I have experienced over the last twelve years. Deep Root Center in downtown Canton is a non-coercive educational option for youth between the ages of 7 and 18 in the St. Lawrence Valley. Students and their parents build an academic plan with their DRC mentor and have the opportunity to participate in classes, one-on-one tutorials, social opportunities, independent research, community service projects, hiking and outdoor activities, and internship or shadowing opportunities.

DRC is also collaborating with staff and students at St. Lawrence University to provide an after-school enrichment program to students who attend the local public school.

All three of our organizations have begun as a twinkling, a small kernel of an idea that we have each fostered through passion, dedication, hard work and a life-time commitment to the health of our community.

Through our initiative of encouraging collaboration, cooperation, and sharing among our own and other organizations, we envision a vibrant and thriving North Country economy that fosters and supports new businesses, young farmers and diversified farms, activists, social and economic equality, outside-the-box thinkers, true healing of health challenges, and, most importantly, happy, fulfilled citizens.

This vision is what brings us together as sisters and what enlivens our work in and for the community. We invite others to join our circle or to welcome us into yours. That is how “community� grows.

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WO OD A RT BY R O N FE N LO N G

r u s t i c by n at u r e Ron Fenlong is a local artist, living in Russell NY, where he builds beautiful rustic-style furniture, under the name “Rustic By Nature.� Though he occasionally has finished pieces for sale, most of his work is custom designed and built. Take a look at some of his unique creations.

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INTERESTED IN CUSTOM WORK? Get in touch with Ron Fenlong: Phone: (315) 347-3237 Website: RusticByNature.net Also find Rustic By Nature on Facebook 22

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photography

Summer June Dorr

December Solstice

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In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

Albert Camus

contributing author

Jessie LaRose photography

Elm Circle Photography

THE NEST COLLECTION The Nest Collection was made with the intentions of each “egg� representing a child in the life of the wearer. Each freshwater pearl is unique in its shape and size representing the individuality in children.

2 M A M A B I RDS JE W E LRY

two birds and a nest

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“It all began with one nest… literally”

S i lv e r W i r e Wrapped Three Egg Nest

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If you are a bride-to-be, the duo is quite excited to have recently included custom bridal and bridesmaids jewelry. By mid December, they were honored to be part of 15 weddings.

In 2012, longtime friends and fellow stay-at-home moms, Nance Arquiett and Brittany Murtagh founded their home jewelry-making business, and rather fittingly, named it 2 Mama Birds.

The business was first established with “The Nest Collection”, which is a series of handmade jewelry meant to represent a child or children in the life of the wearer. The Mama Birds use freshwater pearls situated in the center of a silver wire wrapped “nest” on a sterling silver chain. Each pearl is unique in both shape and size to symbolize the individuality of each child. What began as a Christmas gift to their family and friends, soon became their most popular collection of jewelry. Though the Mama Birds aim to provide pieces that all women can enjoy, they place a lot of emphasis on making pieces for mothers, and grandmothers.

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Check out 2 Mama Birds www.2mamabirds.com

In addition to the beautiful array of jewelry and other offerings, the 2 Mama Birds also has a monthly “cause piece�, for which they donate 50% of all proceeds to a specific organization. For example, they are affiliated with the Puzzle Piece foundation, whose focus is to support teachers and others who may provide services directly to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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If you are looking for beautiful custommade jewelry, 2 Mama Birds will happily take on the challenge of bringing you a special piece that you will cherish forever.

Phone calls for questions and/or to place an order can be made during the hours of 10 AM and 8 PM at (315) 250-3892. Showings are by appointment only, as they are a home-based business.

The elu s i v e R u d o lp h T r ee

seen on Clarkson University campus

P HOTO ESSAY

coming home f o r t h e h o l i d ay s

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cassandra Blair

Cassandra Blair, of Fairytale Dreams Photography, presents a multitude of doorways. They bring to mind notions of home, family, safety, comfort; and Holidays too, when bestrewn with wreaths or garlands.

Let’s “come home for the Holidays” and take a look back at these festive entrances from around the North Country.

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