Barry Vitcov

By Barry Vitcov Statehood Day or the Day of Ukrainian Statehood is a national holiday in Ukraine, celebrated annually on July 15. There are a number of Southern Oregonians who have been active in supporting Ukraine during its time of extreme crisis. The Ashland.news has run several stories about volunteers who regularly travel to Ukraine to offer assistance, as well as notable on-going efforts by local volunteers who are working to support Ukrainian refugees living in our community.

By Barry Vitcov America will be celebrating its 250th birthday next week. No doubt, there is a diversity of opinion over what that celebration ought to be about, include, and reflect upon: the state of our democracy, America’s place in the world, and past, current and future leadership. Ken Englund’s poems are filled with references to the past, consideration about the present, and hope for the future. And he sees an active role for poetry to play.

By Barry Vitcov The natural world is sometimes the cruelest metaphor of our own circumstance. Barbara Parchim’s poem repeats a day prompted by the witnessing of normalcy among birds of prey and, in that instance, birds who are symbols of peace. It was a day that prompted her to comment on what she believes is becoming a new cultural norm and the need to fight for something better.